Steven Wood Relatively Quotations

With last week's Fed tightening, mortgage rates have continued to rise, so that further declines in housing activity are likely over the balance of the year. Nevertheless, robust labor markets and rising incomes have helped sustain housing at a relatively high level.

Although the level of sales is still relatively high, the solid growth of the past three years has been arrested, helping the Fed's efforts to slow the pace of economic growth. However, mortgage rates have declined over the last six weeks, so further substantial weakness may not be forthcoming.

Although home buying remains at relatively high levels, and though no longer robust, refinancing activity has slumped. Less refinancing activity should dampen consumer spending.

Although home buying remains at relatively high levels, although no longer robust, refinancing activity has slumped. Less refinancing activity should dampen consumer spending.

Households are maintaining relatively optimistic assessments of economic conditions, largely in defiance of actual events.