Loan Apps Continue Downward Spiral

Mortgage loan application volume fell another 2% last week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly survey. Interest rates rose to 6.81%, their highest point since 2006. The adjusted Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, dropped by 2%. The adjusted purchase index fell 2%, while the unadjusted purchase index decreased 2% and was 39% lower YOY. The refinance index dropped by 2% and was 86% lower than the same time last year. Refis made up 29% of total applications. The ARM share of activity dipped slightly from last week as the 5/1 interest rate jumped 20 basis points from 5.36% to 5.56%. “The ARM share of applications remained quite high at 11.7%– just below last week’s…