Rates Cool Down, Increasing Demand

Mortgage rates broke a month-long upward streak, deflating for the first time in weeks and resulting in a purchase demand boost. Officials at Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.88%, down from the week prior’s 6.94%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.73%. This is the first decline in four weeks. The 15-year fixed also fell, dropping to 6.22% from 6.26%. A year ago, it averaged 5.95%. “Evidence that purchase demand remains sensitive to interest rate changes was on display this week, as applications rose for the first time in six weeks in response to lower rates,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist.  Mortgage loan applications were up nearly 10% from…

First-Time Buyers Took Out Record Number Of GSE Loans In 2023

First-time homebuyers accounted for a record number of GSE purchase loans in 2023, while originations sunk to new lows, according to ICE’s latest Mortgage Monitor. They made up 55% of agency purchases last year, the highest share ever recorded by ICE in the ten years it has been tracking this metric. “The market in which these folks purchased their first home was one of record house prices, ballooning down payments, rising rates, and elevated DTIs,” Andy Walden, ICE Vice President of Enterprise Research Strategy, said. “Given record exposure to first-time homebuyer loans, it’ll be worth watching the performance of this cohort very closely moving forward, particularly for those invested in 2023 agency MBS.” First-timers and repeat buyers differed greatly in…

Rates Up For A Fourth Week, Skirting 7%

Mortgage rates inched up to a two-month high last week, putting pressure on hopeful spring homebuyers. Officials at Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.94%, up from the week prior’s 6.90%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.65%. This is the fourth consecutive week of increases. The 15-year fixed fell, however, to 6.26% from 6.29%. A year ago, it averaged 5.89%. “The recent boomerang in rates has dampened already tentative homebuyer momentum as we approach the spring, a historically busy season for homebuying,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “While sales of newly built homes are trending in a positive direction, higher rates and elevated prices continue to pose affordability challenges…

Rates Averaging Close To 7%

Mortgage rates aren’t going down as the spring homebuying season rapidly approaches. Officials at Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.90%, up from the week prior’s 6.77%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.50%. The 15-year fixed jumped to 6.29% from 6.12%. A year ago, it averaged 5.76%. “Strong incoming economic and inflation data has caused the market to re-evaluate the path of monetary policy, leading to higher mortgage rates,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist.  “Historically, the combination of a vibrant economy and modestly higher rates did not meaningfully impact the housing market. The current cycle is different than historical norms, as housing affordability is so low that good economic…

Rates Jump After Dour Inflation Data

Tough inflation data led to mortgage rates increasing for a second straight week. Officials at Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.77%, up from the week prior’s 6.64%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.32%. The 15-year fixed jumped to 6.12% from 5.90%. A year ago, it averaged 5.51%. “On the heels of consumer prices rising more than expected, mortgage rates increased this week,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist.  “The economy has been performing well so far this year and rates may stay higher for longer, potentially slowing the spring homebuying season. According to our data, mortgage applications to buy a home so far in 2024 are down in more…

Rates Hold Steady at 6.64%

Rates stayed basically the same last week, inching up just slightly. Officials at Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.64%, barely budging from the week prior’s 6.63%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.12%. Rates have stuck around the mid-6’s  for about two months now. The 15-year fixed decreased to 5.90% from 5.94%. A year ago, it averaged 5.25%. “The economy and labor market remain strong with wage growth outpacing inflation, which is keeping consumer spending robust,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “Meanwhile, affordability in the housing market is an ongoing issue due to continued high home prices, elevated mortgage rates and low supply of homes on the market, particularly…

Mortgage Rates Decline, Reversing One-Week Uptick

Mortgage rates reversed a one-time uptick and fell last week, giving potential buyers even more breathing room. Officials at Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.63%, down from the week prior’s 6.69%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.09%. Rates have now been largely stable, within the mid-6’s, for almost two months. The 15-year fixed also decreased to 5.94% from 5.96%. A year ago, it averaged 5.14%. “Although affordability continues to impact homeownership, the combination of a solid economy, strong demographics, and lower mortgage rates are setting the stage for a more robust housing market,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. Khater noted that expected disinflation should push rates down further…

Predictions: Rate Cuts Unlikely This Week

By PATRICK LAVERY Seven weeks ago, the 2023 slate of policy meetings for the Federal Open Market Committee concluded with members voting to leave the key interest rate unchanged for a third straight time. However, anyone hoping that 2024 will begin with some movement in a downward direction is likely to be disappointed this week. Despite a seemingly positive economic outlook that has the stock market soaring to record highs, the experts seem to agree that there will be no change made when Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell emerges from the FOMC meeting on Wednesday. The stability, so to speak, of the Fed’s policy interest rate has been mirrored somewhat in the housing market recently. According to Freddie Mac,…

December Pending Home Sales Saw Biggest Increase Since 2020

Pending home sales soared in December, proving that price-sensitive buyers are jumping at the opportunity to lock in sub-7% rates. NAR’s Pending Home Sales Index rose by 8.3% month-over-month — their biggest increase since 2020 — to a reading of 77.3 in December. An index of 100 is equal to the level of contract activity in 2001. Year-over-year, they are up 1.3%. “The housing market is off to a good start this year, as consumers benefit from falling mortgage rates and stable home prices,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist. “Job additions and income growth will further help with housing affordability, but increased supply will be essential to satisfying all potential demand.” All four U.S. regions saw declines both month-over-month…

Mortgage Rates Tick Up But Remain Under 7%

Mortgage rates inched up but remained within the mid-6% range, a welcome moment of stability after a rollercoaster year. Officials at Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.69%, up from the week prior’s 6.60%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.13%. The 15-year fixed also rose to 5.96% from 5.76%. A year ago, it averaged 5.17%. “The 30-year fixed-rate has remained within a very narrow range over the last month, settling in at 6.69% this week,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist.  “Given this stabilization in rates, potential homebuyers with affordability concerns have jumped off the fence back into the market. Despite persistent inventory challenges, we anticipate a busier spring homebuying…