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…

Credit Availability Declined In July

Mortgage credit availability fell in July, sinking to its lowest level since 2013, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Mortgage Credit Availability Index. The MCAI dropped by 0.3% to 96.3. Declines indicate that lending standards are tightening, while increases show loosening credit. The index was benchmarked to 100 in March 2012. The Conventional MCAI fell 0.5%, while the Government MCAI slipped by 0.1%. Within the Conventional MCAI, the Jumo MCAI fell by 0.8% but the conforming MCAI increased, up 0.2%. Lenders are pulling their least utilized loan programs to alleviate liquidity stress, MBA Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist Joel Kan noted. “Declining origination volumes have led to lower profitability for many lenders, resulting in narrower loan product offerings to…

Applications Fall As Rates Stay Put

Mortgage applications decreased last week as rates hovered near 7%. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly survey shows the adjusted Market Composite Index – a measure of mortgage loan application volume – decreased by 1.18%, wiping out last week’s 1.1% bump. Adjusted purchase applications fell by 3%, while the unadjusted index dipped 2% from the week before and 23% lower YOY. The average interest rate for 30-year fixed loans remained the same as last week at 6.87%, driving the decline in activity. The FHA share of total applications saw the biggest change, down nearly 10 bps. These applications fell to a 12.7% share from 13.6%, with an average interest rate of 6.80%, up from 6.77%.  FHA loans tend to do well…

Applications Rebound As Rates Exceed 7%

Mortgage applications went up last week, benefitting from VA and FHA activity. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly survey shows the adjusted Market Composite Index – a measure of mortgage loan application volume – increased by 0.9%, improving slightly after the week prior’s 4.4% decline. This week’s data includes an adjustment for the July 4th holiday. Adjusted purchase applications rose by 2%, though the unadjusted index was down 19% from the week before and 26% lower YOY. The bump in purchase activity is attributed to an increase in FHA and VA loan activity. Both loan types offer major perks like low down payments and minimum closing costs to those who qualify, making them more attractive than conventional loans in the current…

Mortgage Applications Just Barely Stay Positive

Mortgage applications just barely stayed positive last week, ticking up slightly. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly survey shows the adjusted Market Composite Index – a measure of mortgage loan application volume – increased by 0.5%. Adjusted purchase applications rose by 2%, while the unadjusted index was down 0.1% from the week before and 32% lower YOY. The average interest rate for 30-year fixed loans fell for a third week from 6.77% to 6.73%. Though it’s not a huge drop, any dip will pull some rate-sensitive buyers off the sidelines. This is especially true for new construction, which is having a boom moment thanks to the crippling shortage of existing homes for sale. “Purchase applications increased, driven by a 2% gain…

Applications Turn Around After Four Weeks Of Declines

Mortgage applications turned around after four weeks of declines as rates dipped slightly. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly survey shows the adjusted Market Composite Index – a measure of mortgage loan application volume – increased by 7.2%. Adjusted purchase applications rose by 8%, while the unadjusted index was up 17% from the week before and 27% lower YOY. The average interest rate for 30-year fixed loans fell for a second week from 6.81% to 6.77%. Though it’s not a huge drop, any dip will pull some rate-sensitive buyers off the sidelines. “Rates that are still more than a percentage point higher than a year ago, and low for-sale inventory continue to constrain homebuying activity in many markets. The average loan…