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Will home equity loan rates drop after the June Fed meeting? Here’s what experts predict
Inflation dropped slightly in April to 3.4%, but is still below the Federal Reserve’s target goal. This means consumers and experts hoping for interest rate cuts may have to wait a bit longer. And borrowers who are looking to tap their home equity via a home equity loan or HELOC might have to continue to expect elevated rates (but much lower rates than other financial products like credit cards).
That said, with the Federal Reserve meeting already underway, could home equity loan rates fall? We asked some experts for their predictions.
See what home equity loan rate you could lock in right now.
Will home equity loan rates drop after the June Fed meeting?
Here’s what experts believe might happen to home equity loan rates after the June Fed meeting.
Yes, home equity loan rates will fall
Brad Dillman, Chief Economist at RPM Living, a management and investment firm, thinks home equity loan rates might fall, even if the Fed decides to hold rates steady at its June meeting. “If the Fed’s policy rate remains unchanged, we may see some decline in home equity loan rates due to narrowing spreads,” says Dillman.
Richard LaRocca, an associate professor of finance at Wagner College, says home equity loan rates could also drop if the Fed unexpectedly lowers rates. That said, he says this probably won’t happen, at least not in June.
See what home equity loan rate is available to you online now.
Home equity loan rates will stay the same
Instead, LaRocca believes home equity loan rates will likely remain unchanged after the June Fed meeting.
“I do not foresee a Fed rate cut given that the job market, though starting to soften, is still strong enough to keep rates steady,” says LaRocca.
Jason Obradovich, a chief investment officer at mortgage lender New American Funding, agrees with Larocca.
“Home equity rates are typically tied close to the Fed’s benchmark rate, and we do not expect that rate to move at the next meeting,” says Obradobich. In turn, he says he expects home equity rates will hold steady.
Home equity loan rates will rise
Another possible option is that home equity loan rates could rise, says Rob Cook, Vice President and CEO of Discover Home Loans. Home equity and mortgage rates may see a slight movement up as the market had already discounted immediate movement by the Fed, Cook says. He adds, “We have seen some upward movement in Treasury rates, which could indicate that rates may move slightly.”
The bottom line
Home equity loan rates will most likely stay the same or rise after the June Fed meeting. And even if rates surprisingly fall, Cook says it’s likely to be a gradual decline. So, he says consumers should plan on rates remaining near their current levels, at least for the near term.
If you’re considering getting a home equity loan, locking in your rate now could be beneficial as you won’t have to worry about dealing with possible rate increases in the future. But before you apply for a home equity loan, Obradovich recommends working with a loan officer to discuss options that might be better for your situation. For example, a HELOC might be better if you want to borrow money as needed versus the lump sum you’ll receive with a home equity loan.
Learn more about your home equity borrowing options here now.
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How a unique Topeka program is welcoming immigrants and helping them thrive
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How a unique Topeka program is welcoming immigrants and helping them thrive
Topeka, Kansas — When Angelica Chernytska and her mother Larysa left war-torn Ukraine earlier this year, they never expected Topeka, Kansas, would quickly feel like home.
“I was overwhelmed, that is how I can describe my feelings,” Angelica told CBS News.
That’s because the people of this Midwestern city have created a modern-day welcome wagon.
“It’s very rewarding to see the children thrive in school, not afraid of sirens,” said Yana Ross, president of the nonprofit group Top City Promise.
Ross, who immigrated from Ukraine herself, started the volunteer group to help new immigrants, mostly Ukrainians so far, with almost all expenses for three months, including a place to live.
Larysa said she “was overwhelmed” to walk into a fully furnished apartment the day after she arrived in Topeka.
What is unique is how the group has partnered with the community to ensure the immigrants have more than just a roof over their heads. A Latter-day Saints church welcomes the newcomers to pick up free food, while a Catholic church stores donations that furnish the homes.
Topeka Public Schools has gone as far as hiring a director of cultural innovation, Dr. Pilar Mejía, who helps ease the transition for children.
“We need to strengthen our community from the ground up, and it starts with the children, and so we need to make sure that everybody feels like they’re important,” Mejía said. “They are seen, they are welcomed.”
Topeka Public Schools now has an international flair. In the district of almost 13,000, Ukrainian and Spanish are the most common languages after English. More than 200 refugees have benefitted from the program and the helping hand extends to all nationalities.
Lisbeth Amador came from Nicaragua with her husband and 6-year-old daughter Sury. The couple have jobs, a car and a good school for Sury.
“I love it,” Amador says of her family’s new home. “…It’s different, my life here.”
The cost of welcoming a family can range anywhere from $300 to $10,000 depending on needs. Top City Promise relies on fundraising and the big hearts of the people who call Topeka home.
“Community is what makes Topeka different, because of the desire of the Topeka community to help, to help them to be successful,” Ross said.