Frank Nothaft Strong Quotations

Low rates combined with the up-tick in consumer confidence are strong indications that the housing market will continue to prosper into the summer months,

With mortgage rates low and consumer confidence high, Freddie Mac economists expect the housing market to remain strong in the months ahead.

Over the last couple of years, we've seen many markets with strong home value appreciation. They're up at a considerable pace in many markets across the country, particularly from New England all the way down to Washington, D.C., ... Home values are up in D.C., for example, by over 10 percent over the past year. That means families have built up home equity.

With the unemployment rate at a low of 4.3 percent and mortgage rates remaining at present affordable levels, we expect the housing market to continue to be strong into the coming months.

Currently the market is focusing on an anticipated economic recovery within the next six months. That focus put some upward pressure on mortgage rates this week, causing them to rise. There remains good volatility though, due to market speculation over exactly when and how strong the rebound will be.