Company News

Last Week in Review:
Job growth eased in July while annual inflation remained tame in June and home prices continued to rise.
Non-Farm Payrolls rose by 157,000 new jobs in July, below the 190,000 expected, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. However, the figures for May and June were revised higher by a total of 59,000 new jobs. The Unemployment Rate also fell to 3.9 percent. For the past three months, job growth has averaged 224,000 compared to 195,000 in the same period in 2017. Hobby and retail toy employment fell by 32,000 jobs in July, largely due to the closing of Toys R Us, which hurt headline Non-Farm Payrolls and could be a one-off number. Overall, the labor market continues to produce solid numbers.
Home prices rose steadily across the nation in May. The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller 20-City Home Price Index rose 6.5 percent from May 2017 to May 2018. This was in line with expectations and just below the 6.7 percent recorded in April. On a monthly basis, home prices were up 0.7 percent from April to May.

The Fed met and left its benchmark Fed Funds Rate unchanged, as expected. This is the rate banks use to lend money to each other overnight, and it does not directly impact home loan rates. The Fed noted that economic activity is growing at a strong rate and the labor market continues to strengthen.
If these strong signs for the economy continue, Stocks could benefit at the expense of Mortgage Bonds and the home loan rates tied to them. However, many factors impact both Stocks and Bonds, so it's important to keep an eye on the overall picture. For instance, low inflation is typically good news for fixed investments like Mortgage Bonds, and the annual Core Personal Consumption Expenditures edged lower to 1.9 percent in June. This was down from the 2 percent recorded in May and below the Fed's 2 percent target range.
For now, home loan rates remain attractive and near historically low levels.

Last Week in Review:
Home sales slumped in June while second quarter economic growth soared.

Existing Home Sales declined for the third straight month in June, falling 0.6 percent from May to an annual rate of 5.38 million units, the National Association of REALTORS® reported. Declines in the West and South outpaced gains in the Northeast and Midwest. From June 2017 to June 2018, sales fell 2.2 percent. Inventory of homes for sale on the market was at a 4.3-month supply, well below the 6-month supply seen as normal.
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, says, "The root cause is without a doubt the severe housing shortage that is not releasing its grip on the nation's housing market. What is for sale in most areas is going under contract very fast and in many cases, has multiple offers."
Sales of new homes also fell 5.3 percent from May to June to an annual rate of 631,000, below the 670,000 expected. This was their lowest level since October 2017. However, sales were up 2.4 percent from June of last year. New Home Sales surged in the Northeast, but declined in the West, Midwest and South. The ongoing hurdles of rising lumber costs and shortages of labor and land were partly to blame.
Economic growth surged in the second quarter of 2018 due in part to a big rise in consumer spending. The Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rose 4.1 percent from the 2.2 percent recorded in the first quarter. The report also showed that consumer spending jumped 4 percent in the second quarter from the dismal 0.5 percent in the first quarter. GDP is the monetary value of all finished goods and services produced within a country's borders in a specific time period. It is considered the broadest measure of economic activity.
Mortgage Bonds were weighed down by the strong GDP report as well as the positive news that trade concessions with the EU were announced. Home loan rates remain near historic lows.

Last Week in Review:
June saw Housing Starts slump and Retail Sales jump.

U.S. homebuilders broke ground on fewer homes than expected in June, due in part to higher costs for lumber, lack of available land and a shortage of construction workers. June Housing Starts fell 12.3 percent from May to an annual rate of 1.173 million units. This was the lowest level since September 2017, as Housing Starts declined in all four major regions of the country. Starts were down 4.2 percent from June of last year.
Single-family starts, which make up the bulk of residential housing, fell 9.1 percent in June from May. Multi-family dwellings of five or more units plunged 20.2 percent month over month. Building Permits, a sign of future construction, also declined 2.2 percent from May to an annual rate of 1.273 million. June's figures were a disappointment given that a lack of inventory has been an ongoing challenge to homebuyers in many areas of the country.
Retail Sales went in the opposite direction in June, as they were up 0.5 percent from May, the Commerce Department reported. May's figure was also revised sharply higher to 1.3 percent from 0.8 percent. From June 2017 to June 2018, sales rose 6.6 percent.
The Retail Sales report is considered the most-timely indicator of broad consumer spending patterns. The key takeaway is that people spend more when they are less concerned about the economy and their employment. Strong Retail Sales typically signal a belief that the economy is doing well.
Mortgage Bonds continued to trade in a sideways pattern in recent days due in part to the mix of economic data. Home loan rates remain near historic lows.

Last Week in Review:
Annual inflation ticked up while small business optimism neared record highs.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.9 percent in the 12 months ending in June, up slightly from the 2.8 percent annual reading in May. This was the largest annual increase since the year ending in February 2012, and it was led higher by energy costs. On a monthly basis, CPI increased 0.1 percent in June. Core CPI, which strips out volatile food and energy prices, rose 0.2 percent in June and was up 2.3 percent year over year.
The Producer Price Index (PPI), which measures wholesale inflation, rose 3.4 percent year over year in June, the largest increase in more than six years. The rise was also due in part to increasing energy prices. From May to June, PPI was up 0.3 percent.

Rising inflation is always a concern for fixed investments, like Mortgage Bonds, since inflation reduces their value. Home loan rates are tied to Mortgage Bonds, so they are negatively impacted when Mortgage Bonds worsen. However, many factors influence the markets. For example, if trade issues heat up, Bonds could benefit at the expense of Stocks if investors seek a safer haven for their money.
In the latest week, Stocks benefited from positive earnings and the news that the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index remained near record highs in June. Mortgage Bonds and home loan rates remain attractive and near their best levels historically.

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Program Enhancements 

• Max Loan Amount increased to $2 Million
• Maximum Cash out Increased to $750,000

Contact your Account Executive for more information, and make sure to check out our rates.
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Last Week in Review:
The Jobs Report for June was better than expected. The holiday-shortened trading week saw market volatility due to global trade issues.
Non-Farm Payrolls rose by 213,000 new jobs in June, above the 195,000 expected, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. The figures for April and May were also revised higher by a total of 37,000 new jobs. Professional and business services, manufacturing, and health care saw an increase in jobs, while retail trade lost jobs.
The Unemployment Rate rose to 4.0 percent, while the Labor Force Participation Rate edged higher to 62.9 from 62.7 as more Americans entered the labor force.
There was a downside, however, as the lack of meaningful wage growth continues. Average hourly earnings increased just 0.2 percent in June, after the 0.3 percent rise in May. Over the last year, average hourly earnings were up 2.7 percent.
Home loan rates moved lower in the latest week as Mortgage Bonds improved due to the volatility in the markets.

Last Week in Review:
Sales of new homes rose in May while annual inflation readings edged higher. First quarter GDP disappointed.

Sales of new homes rose 6.7 percent from April to an annual rate of 689,000, the Commerce Department reported. However, April's sales figure was revised lower to 646,000 from the original reading of 662,000. From May 2017 to May 2018, sales surged 14.1 percent. There was a 5.2-month supply of new homes for sale on the market, just below the 6 months that is considered normal.
The final reading on Gross Domestic Product for the first quarter of 2018 came in at 2.0 percent, below the second reading of 2.2 percent. GDP is the monetary value of all finished goods and services produced within our borders in a specific time. It is considered the broadest measure of economic activity. GDP readings between 2.5 to 3.0 percent are considered healthy, so the final reading for the first quarter was a disappointment. However, many forecasters are expecting a stronger GDP reading for the second quarter.
The inflation-measuring Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) and Core PCE, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, both ticked up 0.2 percent from April to May, in line with expectations. However, on an annual basis Core PCE ticked up to 2.0 percent, after rising 1.8 percent annually in April. The bottom line for inflation is that it reduces the value of fixed investments like Mortgage Bonds. Home loan rates are tied to Mortgage Bonds, so rising inflation can also cause rates to move higher.
For now, home loan rates remain attractive historically.

The Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC (CMS) Lock Desk will be closed on Wednesday, July 4, 2018, for Independence Day, which is a Federal Holiday. In addition, the lock desk will close early (10:00 AM PST) on Tuesday, July 3, 2018. Normal lock hours will resume on Thursday, July 5, 2018.
Locks that expire on the holiday will automatically roll to the next business day. In addition, there are some important disclosure considerations associated with the holiday:

• Wednesday, July 4, 2018, cannot be included in the rescission period for refinance transactions.
• Wednesday, July 4, 2018, cannot be included in the seven (7) business day waiting period between the date the initial Loan Estimate (LE) was provided to the borrower and the consummation of the loan
• When re-disclosure of the LE is required, Wednesday, July 4, 2018, cannot be included in the four (4) business day waiting period between the date the revised LE was provided to the borrower and the consummation of the loan.
• When re-disclosure of the CD is required, Wednesday, July 4, 2018, cannot be included in the three (3) business day waiting period between the date the revised CD was provided to the borrower and the consummation of the loan.

Issues related to locks should be sent via email to lockdesk@carringtonms.com.

Last Week in Review:
Existing Home Sales fell in May. Housing Starts signaled potential hope for would-be buyers.
May Existing Home Sales fell 0.4 percent from April to an annual rate of 5.43 million units, the National Association of REALTORS® reported. From May 2017 to May 2018, Existing Home Sales were down 3 percent. While sales rose in the Northeast in May, they fell in the Midwest, West and South. Inventory of homes for sale on the market remains low with a 4.1-month supply, below the 6 months seen as normal.
Lawrence Yun, the NAR chief economist, said, "Inventory coming onto the market during this spring's buying season ... was not even close enough to satisfy demand."
The latest Housing Starts report had some good news for would-be buyers struggling with limited inventory, as the Commerce Department reported that new home construction surged in May. Housing Starts rose 5 percent from April to an annual rate of 1.350 million units, which is also a 20.3 percent increase from May 2017.
Single-family starts, which account for the largest share of the housing market, rose 3.9 percent from April to May and were up 18.3 percent annually. Multi-family dwellings of five or more units rose 11.3 percent monthly and jumped 27.4 percent annually.
However, future new construction could ease a bit as Building Permits fell 4.6 percent monthly after declining in April.
Stocks struggled in the latest week due in part to escalating trade war tensions while Mortgage Bonds leveled off after a few weeks of high volatility. Home loan rates remain near historically low levels.

Coming to Sacramento July 12th!
Elevate your performance as a Loan Originator in the Sacramento area with the information and tools provided by attending this free event. Gain new insights into your local market and national trends. Get ahead of your competition by leveraging this information to elevate your performance and better serve customers in your area.
You Can’t Afford to Miss This Event
Exclusive for Loan Originators and Mortgage Brokers hosted by Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC a leader in the serving the underserved market and known for being the Go-to-Lender for Tough Loans.

• 8 am - 9 am Complimentary Breakfast and Networking Opportunity

• 9 am - 9:45 am Local and National Real Estate and Housing Market Update
  Find out what's happening in the US economy and the housing market with a mid-year market update, and forecast for 2018 and beyond by Carrington Executive Vice President Rick Sharga, a frequent contributor to national media outlets such as CNBC, FOX Business, the Wall St. Journal, and Housing Wire.

• Elevate Your Performance with Carrington
  An introduction to Carrington's new Non-QM home loan programs that can elevate your performance and assist you in closing more loans for borrowers with less than perfect credit, late payments, recent blemishes on their credit, high balance/jumbo or self-employed borrowers.

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