In a surprise move, the Fed slashes rates by 50 basis points today.
How will this effect interest rates on mortgages?
Federal Reserve cuts in the federal funds rate have an unpredictable impact on long-term mortgage rates. So it’s impossible to know for sure when — or even if — rates will fall as a result of the Fed’s emergency rate cut.
Adjustable rate mortgages (ARM’s) may be more sensitive to Federal Reserve rate decisions, especially if the spread between the federal funds rate and the London Interbank Offered Rate — more commonly known as LIBOR — narrows. There could be an impact due to other countries also dropping their interest rates by their central banks.
Depending on the exact nature of their mortgage, some people with ARMs may see their rate adjust downward the next time the mortgage resets.
