The Fed isn't messing with interest rates
The Fed is keeping the interest rate it controls at an all-time low.
At the close of a two-day policy meeting, the Fed announced on Wednesday that it's keeping its benchmark interest rate — called the federal funds rate — near zero. That's where things have stood since March, when officials slashed rates while the COVID-19 outbreak began hitting the economy hard.
Projections released after the meeting show 13 out of 17 members of the Federal Reserve policy panel don't expect a rate increase before 2024.
The coronavirus is still causing hardships and holding back economic activity and employment, the Fed says.
To foster "the flow of credit to households and businesses" during the crisis, the central bank says it will continue its program of purchasing mortgage-backed securities and Treasury bonds. That buying has helped drive down mortgage rates and bond yields.
The Fed's post-meeting statement refers to the central bank's new and looser stance on inflation; it says policymakers "will aim to achieve inflation moderately above 2% for some time so that inflation averages 2% over time." The Fed's goal is 2% inflation, but prices have been rising at a stubbornly slower pace.
Don't miss
- Commercial real estate has beaten the stock market for 25 years — but only the super rich could buy in. Here's how even ordinary investors can become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger
- Car insurance premiums in America are through the roof — and only getting worse. But 5 minutes could have you paying as little as $29/month
- These 5 magic money moves will boost you up America's net worth ladder in 2024 — and you can complete each step within minutes. Here's how
The meaning for mortgage rates
The Fed is contributing to record-low mortgage rates.
The ultra-low federal funds rate is having a direct effect on the prime rate and other borrowing costs that piggyback off the prime, including the APRs on credit cards and the interest on adjustable-rate mortgages and home equity lines of credit, or HELOCs.
But the Fed's rate isn't tied closely to fixed mortgage rates, including rates on popular 30-year fixed-rate mortgages.
Still, home lending rates keep dropping through the floor with help from the low-interest environment the Fed's COVID-fighting tactics have helped create.
The average for 30-year loans fell all the way down to an unprecedented 2.86% last week, according to the nearly 50-year-old survey from mortgage company Freddie Mac.
More than 19 million homeowners could refinance at today's rates and save an average of $299 per month, the mortgage data firm Black Knight says. And, as low rates entice homebuyers, home sales are soaring.
Why mortgage rates could still rise
Inflation could push up mortgage rates.
There are a couple of potential threats to the extreme mortgage rates borrowers are getting used to.
Inflation could become a problem, depending on how long the Fed lets it run hot. Rising inflation often brings higher interest rates.
But that's not an issue now. "Weaker demand and significantly lower oil prices are holding down consumer price inflation," the Fed says.
Another risk comes from a new fee that'll be tacked onto refinance loans; lenders are expected to pass that cost along to consumers in the form of higher mortgage rates.
So, while the Fed is likely to stay friendly to borrowers for a long time, you may not want to wait if you're hoping to score a low rate to buy a home or do a refi.
To shop around for a great rate, compare mortgage offers from multiple lenders — because there can be big differences from one lender to the next.
Remember to take the same approach when the time comes to buy or renew your homeowners insurance. Check rates from several insurers to be certain you're getting the right coverage at the best price.
Take a look at today's best mortgage rates where you are:
What to read next
- Cost-of-living in America is still out of control — use these 3 'real assets' to protect your wealth today), no matter what the US Fed does or says
- Jeff Bezos and Oprah Winfrey invest in this asset to keep their wealth safe — you may want to do the same in 2024
- Stop crushing your retirement dreams with wealth-killing costs and headaches — here are 10 'must-haves' when choosing a trading platform (and 1 option that has them all)
