The Federal Reserve Raised Interest Rates For The Third Time This Year

By Kurt Real Estate Nov 23, 2019

The Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the third time this year.
We did anticipate this happening said Orange County Real Estate Agent Kurt Galitski of The Kurt Real Estate Group in Orange County California. “Listen, the economy is very very strong, the impact of interest rates being raised actually causes sales of homes to increase not decrease as one would think.” While inventory has doubled in the last few months, properties that are priced right are selling, he said.
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Policymakers under Chairman Jerome Powell unanimously agreed to raise the federal funds rate a quarter percentage point, to a range of 2% to 2.25%. The rate helps determine rates for mortgages, credit cards and other consumer borrowing.

“Our economy is strong,” Powell said at a press conference on Wednesday. “These rates remain low, and my colleagues and I believe that this gradual returning to normal is helping to sustain this strong economy.”

Central bankers raised expectations for a fourth rate hike in December, with a majority now in favor of such a move. In June, policymakers were split on whether the Fed should raise rates four times this year or three.

Looking ahead to 2019, Fed officials expect at least three rate hikes will be necessary, and one more in 2020.

The Fed has been trying to strike a balance: It wants to raise interest rates steadily to keep the economy from overheating, but raising rates too quickly could help start a recession.

For now, the chairman has maintained that gradual interest-rate increases are the best way to balance those risks.

Powell said that central bankers have heard a “rising chorus” of concerns from businesses about the US-China trade war. But he said that the economic impact of US tariffs is “still relatively small.”

He warned that tariffs could lead to higher consumer prices, but he said policymakers don’t see that in the numbers just yet.

Walmart, Gap, Coca-Cola, General Motors, Macy’s and other companies have said tariffs could force them to raise prices on everyday consumer goods.

The Fed raised its expectation for economic growth this year to 3.1% from 2.8%, reflecting strength in the second and current quarters.

But for 2019, Fed officials expect growth to slow to 2.5% amid worries about the growing trade rift between the United States and China. The revised estimate is slightly higher than what policy makers expected last quarter, at 2.4%.

The FOMC also gave its first look of what it expects for the economy in 2021. Policy makers anticipate economic growth will shrink to 1.8% in that year.

Investors and former Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke have warned of an economic slowdown in 2020.

CNNMoney (Washington)First published September 26, 2018: 2:01 PM ET

For more information contact Kurt Galitski at info@KurtRealEstate.com