Mortgage interest rates are going to rise in 2021.
The Mortgage Bankers Association in its most recent forecast sees two things that stand out. First, 2020 will prove itself to be the second biggest mortgage year in history. At over three trillion, 2020 will only stand behind 2003 in single family mortgage production history.
Second, the MBA joined the GSEs and other economists who forecast a significant drop in mortgage production in 2021, with most estimating declines in the range of $700 – $800 billion year over year.
Some will argue, “but, Powell said the Federal Reserve would keep rates low for the foreseeable future!” There is a difference here. Yes, the Fed will likely keep short rates low (Fed Funds Rate), but mortgage rates and some longer-term Treasuries likely won’t enjoy the same ride.
Here are the reasons why upward pressure on mortgage rates could stall the refinance wave and cut overall national originations volume in 2021:
1. The Fed: The Federal reserve is the single biggest buyer of agency mortgage backed securities (MBS) in the world. According to the Urban Institute, In March the Fed bought $292.2 billion in agency MBS, and April clocked in at $295.1 billion, the largest two months of mortgage purchases ever; and well over 100% of gross issuance for each of those two months. After the market stabilized, the Fed slowed its purchases to around $100 billion per month in May, June and July. Fed purchases in July were $104.6 billion, 35% of monthly issuance, still sizable from a historical perspective.
The question is what happens after a COVID vaccine and a normalization of economic activity which is expected next year. The Fed is already being very careful not to commit to MBS purchases after the end of this year, a lack of commitment in stark contrast to their clear stance on fed funds. If the Fed continues to slow or stop, something which is inevitable, the supply imbalance will force rates higher as MBS prices drop in search of buyers to take up the excess.
2. The Debt: The national debt is now at 100% of GDP, the highest level since WWII. Per CBO’s September paper, “By the end of 2020, federal debt held by the public is projected to equal 98% of GDP. The projected budget deficits would boost federal debt to 104% of GDP in 2021, to 107% of GDP (the highest amount in the nation’s history) in 2023, and to 195% of GDP by 2050.”
The CBO’s projections for the U.S. deficits looking forward and the mounting debt load threaten the nation’s ability to do many things, as the majority of spending will be to mandatory expenditures that include interest on the growing debt load. Inflationary pressure will result from the need to finance these deficits through new issuance of treasuries, thus putting upward pressure on interest rates, a far different outcome than what the Fed may do to keep short rates low.
3. The GSE Capital Rule: The FHFA just closed off the comment window on the proposed capital rule for Fannie and Freddie. This rule is a critical component to FHFA’s plan to release the GSEs from conservatorship. The proposed rule is considered onerous by many with the consensus view stating in comment letters that rates would rise between 20-30 bps. Former Freddie Mac CEO Don Layton, former Arch MI CEO Andrew Reppert, and Fannie Mae each stated the same in their comment letters.
4. The Adverse Market Fee: This arbitrary add-on for most refinance mortgages from the GSEs of 50 bps equates to roughly an increase in rate of .125. This goes into effect on Dec. 1 of this year.
5. Release from Conservatorship: Given the risk of an administration change, FHFA Director Calabria is working feverishly to release Fannie and Freddie from conservatorship and moving at a pace to lock in as much of this as possible quickly. There have been outcries from MBS investors, including some of the largest buyers.
In a letter to Mark Calabria, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, PIMCO said freeing the companies by executive fiat would be interpreted by investors as an end to the government’s guarantee of the MBS. “That would boost mortgage rates and force some investors to sell the bonds,” said PIMCO executives. Investors would demand a higher return for the increased risk. “Mortgage rates will increase, homeownership will likely suffer, and the national mortgage rate will no longer exist,” the executives wrote.
And it does not take all of the fore mentioned factors to produce the forecasted $700 – $800 billion drop next year. Rather, the slowing of MBS purchases and the implementation of the capital rule alone will accomplish this. MBA’s forecast of the volume decline assumes only the slightest increase in mortgage rates, remaining in the low 3% range next year.
The view is that we will end the year with a good first quarter in 2021 simply based on year end overflow. The second quarter may start off well, but the general sense is that by the third and fourth quarters the market will reflect the impact of coupon burn out and any of these events above beginning to take shape.
As MBA’s Fratantoni recently stated, “2020 has been a banner year for mortgage originators and the millions of households who have benefited from record-low rates through refinancing. The industry will enjoy this boom for a while longer, but our expectation is that the refi wave is cresting.”
The sun is clearly shining on the mortgage industry this year however, it’s important for homeowners looking to refinance to not misread Fed Chairman Powell’s statements as a commitment to anything beyond short rates. These current rates we are experiencing this year are due to interventions in the market due to a pandemic recession. Normalization will result in higher mortgage rates which will take out buyers, eliminate the supply “short,” just enough to cut the market by 25%-30% in 2021 and a bit more in 2022.
If you, or someone you know is considering Buying or Selling an Investment Property in Columbus, Ohio please give us a call and we’d be happy to assist you!
The Opland Group Specializes in Real Estate Sales, Luxury Home Sales, Short Sales in; Bexley 43209 Columbus 43201 43206 43214 43215 Delaware 43015 Downtown Dublin 43016 43017 Gahanna 43219 43230 Grandview Heights 43212 Galena 43021 Hilliard 43026 Lewis Center 43035 New Albany 43054 Pickerington 43147 Polaris Powell 43065 Upper Arlington 43220 43221 Westerville 43081 43082 Worthington 43235
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