Applications Soar As Rates Hit Lowest Level Since August

Mortgage applications increased again last week as cooling inflation and Fed rate expectations pushed mortgage rates down. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly survey shows the adjusted Market Composite Index – a measure of mortgage loan application volume – increased by 2.8%, up from the week prior’s modest +0.3%. Adjusted purchase applications fell by 0.3%, while the unadjusted index rose 35% from the week before and was 17% lower YOY. Falling rates drove the jump, with the 30-year fixed-rate falling to 7.17%, its lowest since August 2023. MBA Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist Joel Kan pinned the rate cooldown on disinflation and the dwindling possibility of further Fed rate hikes. The FOMC will meet on December 12-13 and Wall Street…

Mortgage Applications Inch Up

Mortgage applications rose for yet another week, though the increase was mild compared to previous weeks’ jumps. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly survey shows the adjusted Market Composite Index – a measure of mortgage loan application volume – increased by a modest 0.3%. Adjusted purchase applications rose by 5%, while the unadjusted index slipped 31% from the week before and was 19% lower YOY. An adjustment for Thanksgiving is included in the data. Mortgage rates slipped to 7.37%, the fourth decline in five weeks and the lowest level in 10 weeks. “There was a slight increase in applications overall, driven by a five percent increase in purchase applications, but refinance applications decreased over the week,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s Vice…

Mortgage Rates Make Biggest One-Week Drop In More Than A Year

U.S. mortgage rates took their biggest one-week drop in more than a year last week. The Mortgage Bankers Association reported the contract rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage fell 25 basis points to 7.61%. That’s the lowest level since the end of September. Market watchers point to the Federal Reserve’s decision last week to hold interest rates steady as one reason for the slide in mortgage rates, adding to hopes the housing sector will improve in the coming months. The MBA also reported mortgage applications for home sales rose 3%. Mortgage brokers say it’s no surprise that with a tight market and plenty of frustrated would-be buyers, there was a surge in demand. Refinancing activity ticked up as the refinance…

ARM Applications See Boost Again As Buyers Struggle With High Costs

Mortgage applications slipped again last week, though ARM applications soared in response to ongoing affordability pressures. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly survey shows the adjusted Market Composite Index – a measure of mortgage loan application volume – decreased by 2.1%, slightly up from the week prior’s 1% dip. Adjusted purchase applications slipped by 1%, while the unadjusted index fell by 2% from the week before and was 22% lower YOY. Applications decreased despite the 30-year fixed mortgage cooling slightly to 7.86%, breaking a weeks-long streak of increases. Rates remain close to 23-year highs, however, and all rates are approximately 30 bps higher than a month ago. “The impact of higher rates continued to be felt across both purchase and refinance…

Applications Down As Treasury Yields Push Rates Higher

Mortgage applications slipped again last week as treasury yields swelled to new highs. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly survey shows the adjusted Market Composite Index – a measure of mortgage loan application volume – decreased by 1%, a more moderate decline than the week prior’s 6.9% dip. Adjusted purchase applications slipped by 2%, while the unadjusted index fell by 2% from the week before and was 22% lower YOY. Another spike in rates drove the decline. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose to 7.90%, the highest level since 2000 and a 20 bps jump from last week. Rates have risen nearly 70 bps in the last seven weeks. “Ten-year Treasury yields climbed higher last week, as global investors remained concerned…

Applications Sink To Lowest Level Since 1995

Mortgage applications tanked last week, hitting their lowest level since 1995 and wiping out a brief surge the week prior. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly survey shows the adjusted Market Composite Index – a measure of mortgage loan application volume – decreased by 6.9%. Adjusted purchase applications slipped by 6%, while the unadjusted index fell by 5% from the week before and was 21% lower YOY. Another week of rate increases drove the decline. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose for a sixth straight week to 7.70%, the highest level since 2000. “Both purchase and refinance applications declined, driven by larger drops for conventional applications. Purchase applications were 21% lower than the same week last year, as homebuying activity continues…

MBA Annual Convention And Expo Kicks Off In Philadelphia

By KIMBERLEY HAAS The Mortgage Bankers Association’s chief economist and his team had some good news for those in attendance of their annual convention and expo on Sunday afternoon. Total mortgage origination volume is expected to be $1.95 trillion in 2024, up from the $1.64 trillion projected for 2023. At the same time, volume is predicted to increase 19% by loan count, with 5.2 million loans expected next year. Michael Fratantoni, chief economist and senior vice president of research and industry technology, said members just have to make it through the winter. “In terms of origination volume, we think 2023 is the low point,” Fratantoni said, adding that many lenders have had five or six quarters of production losses. In…

ARM Rush Pushes Mortgage Applications Up

Mortgage applications rose slightly last week, driven by an increase in adjustable-rate applications. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly survey shows the adjusted Market Composite Index – a measure of mortgage loan application volume – increased by 0.6%. Mortgage rates shot up for all loan types but adjustable-rate mortgages, leading to a rush on these loans, which boosted overall volume.  ARM applications jumped by 15% in just one week, pushing them to a 9.2% share of all applications, their highest level since November 2022. Adjusted purchase applications inched up 1%, while the unadjusted index rose by 1% from the week before and was 19% lower YOY. “The yield curve has become less inverted in recent weeks and ARM pricing has certainly…

Applications Tumble As Rates Soar

Mortgage applications tanked last week, raising concerns over the market’s future. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly survey shows the adjusted Market Composite Index – a measure of mortgage loan application volume – fell by 4.2%, supercharging after the week prior’s 0.8% decline. The average interest rate for 30-year fixed loans rose from 7.16% to 7.31%, pushing homeownership farther out of reach for many Americans. This is the fourth straight week of increases and the highest level since December 2000. “Applications for home purchase mortgages dropped to their lowest level since April 1995, as homebuyers withdrew from the market due to the elevated rate environment and the erosion of purchasing power. Low housing supply is also keeping home prices high in…

Mixed Inflation Data Pushes Rates Up

Mortgage applications slipped slightly last week as rates rose again. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly survey shows the adjusted Market Composite Index – a measure of mortgage loan application volume – fell by 0.8%, a much softer decline than the week prior’s 3.1% drop. MBA attributes recent declines to rising rates. The average interest rate for 30-year fixed loans rose from 7.09% to 7.16%, pushing homeownership farther out of reach for many Americans. This is the third straight week of increases. Adjusted purchase applications fell by 0.2%, while the unadjusted index dipped 2% from the week before and was 26% lower YOY. Refinances continued to be hobbled by the high rate environment, down by 2% and 35% lower than the…