Fueled by lower mortgage rates, FreddieMac is expecting the strong housing market to continue. While the rates increased in September, the 30 year fixed rate was 1.08% lower than last year at the same time. The decrease in mortgage interest rates is fueled by the reduction in rates by the Fed combined with uncertainty regarding the resolution of trade disputes, causing investors to look for the stable investment of US Treasuries. The August level of housing starts was the highest since 2007, fueled by the lower rates. Sales of existing homes beat expectations as well, and Freddie Mac expects that to continue through the rest of 2019 and into 2020.