Fed Keeps Interest Rates Steady

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will keep the federal funds rate at 1.5 to 1.75%, according to a statement following the latest Committee meeting. The Committee cited a strong labor market and moderately rising economic activity.

“Markets anticipated the Fed’s stance in the wake of the bank’s December meeting. As investors anticipate rising risks in markets, demand for bonds is likely to remain solid, keeping mortgage rates on a sideways trajectory in the months ahead,” said realtor.com's Senior Economist George Ratiu. “Rates are about 80 basis points below last year, offering first-time buyers favorable home financing. However, the number of homes available for sale have reached a two-year low, adding headwinds to the housing market.”

While interest rates are low, following multiple decreases from the Fed in 2019, some homeowners and potential buyers would still like to see them fall further. Of the three most popular government actions among first-time homebuyers—lowering interest rates, providing tax credits, and easing lending standards—lower interest rates are the most popular option, Redfin reports, especially among buyers with annual incomes of less than $100,000. However, as Redfin notes, though these government actions would make homebuying more affordable in the short-term, they would not directly address the long-term shortage of affordable homes.

The FOMC will be looking at global economic indicators when determining its next rate decision, as Ratiu notes.

“Globally, central banks remain committed to accommodative stances in their monetary policies, with most European banks, as well as the Bank of Japan, at zero interest rates,” Ratiu continues. “The outlook for world economies remains clouded by slowing growth and increased geopolitical risk. A recent report indicated that increasingly synchronized global housing markets are expected to experience moderation in 2020, with price declines likely to impact economic output.”