Cicago's Mortgage Choice - October 6, 2015 Real Estate Report - Jobs: Could Higher Rates Be Good?

If you want a good indication of whether the Federal Reserve Board might raise interest rates in their October or December meetings, last week's employment report gives us a hint. The numbers were disappointing with an increase of under 150,000 jobs and a downward revision in the previous months' data. This means that there is less pressure on the Fed to move quickly, especially considering the fact that wage inflation continues to be muted. The report continues our good news with regard to low interest rates. Apparently, we are going to have a fall sale on real estate with home price increases also moderating. On the other hand, many analysts are now thinking that the Fed raising short-term rates would be good for the economy. Why is that so? Right now the Fed has created a great amount of uncertainly regarding the anticipated rate increase. The markets, companies and consumers do not like uncertainty. Rampant uncertainty was one reason our recovery from the great recession was so long and arduous. For example, uncertainly keeps companies from investing in the long-term, and that includes adding permanent workers. Just a week after the Fed released its statement delaying the expected rate hike in which they indicated that there was major uncertainty created because of international events, Chairwoman Yellen was out speaking about the probability of a rate hike this year -- “Most FOMC participants, including myself, currently anticipate...an initial increase in the federal funds rate later this year, followed by a gradual pace of tightening thereafter,” Yellen said. The Fed just can't keep talking about and then taking no action without creating uncertainty. Keith Stewart 773-529-7000