New Home Inventories Also Tightening

Existing Home Inventories Tighten Up in December

Another Inflation Indicator

The Producer Price Index (PPI) is a gauge of inflation at the wholesale level. The core index excludes the volatile categories of food and energy.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

General Weakness in the Manufacturing Sector

Mortgage Brokers in WA State Now Required to Be Licensed

"A new state law, which went into effect Jan. 1, requires the state's 8,000 loan officers employed by mortgage brokers to be licensed. They write more than half of Washington's home loans."

Seattle Times

A Sign of Inflation Bothering the Federal Reserve

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Private Residential Construction Spending

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Applications for ARM Loans at 3-1/2 Year Low

Source: Mortgage Bankers Association of America

Rate Outlook -- (Bloomberg.com)