Impac Mortgage Delisted From NYSE American

Impac Mortgage’s common stock has been delisted from the New York Stock Exchange as the lender switches gears. In an announcement Wednesday, officials at the exchange said Impac’s stock would be suspended immediately while the delisting proceedings are underway. According to NYSE, Impac is not in compliance with the $2 million, $4 million, and $6 million shareholders’ equity requirements (Section 1003(a)(i), (ii) and (iii) of the NYSE American Company Guide). “Because the Company informed the NYSE American in its required quarterly plan update that it cannot continue to demonstrate an ability to return to compliance by February 26, 2024, which was the date the NYSE American originally granted the Company to regain compliance with the NYSE American’s continued listing standards,…

30-YR FRM Rose Last Week, 15-YR Declined

The 30-year FRM increased once again last week, blocking even more homebuyers from entering the market. Officials at Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.43%, up from 6.39% the week prior. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.11%. The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage fell, however, down to 5.71% from 5.76%. A year ago, it averaged 4.40%. “The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage increased modestly for the second straight week, but with the rate of inflation decelerating rates should gently decline over the course of 2023,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist.  “Incoming data suggest the housing market has stabilized from a sales and house price perspective. The prospect of lower mortgage rates for the…

Pending Home Sales Slipped In March

Pending home sales sank in March as rate-sensitive buyers continued to skirt the market, according to the National Association of Realtors. NAR’s Pending Home Sales Index declined by 5.2% between February and March. Year-over-year, it dropped by 23.2%. All four regions saw pending sales fall YOY, and three of the four saw contract signings shrink. Signings increased slightly in the South as the region continues to attract buyers chasing affordability and sunny weather. NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun pointed to tight inventory as the main hindrance to sales. “Multiple offers are still occurring on about a third of all listings, and 28% of homes are selling above list price. Limited housing supply is simply not meeting demand nationally,” he said.…

Applications Rise Despite Rate Increase

Mortgage applications rose last week despite rates jumping to their highest point in more than a month. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly survey shows the adjusted Market Composite Index – a measure of mortgage loan application volume – increased by 3.7%, changing course after last week’s 8.8% decrease. Adjusted purchase applications rose by 5%, while the unadjusted index was up 6% from the week before and 28% lower YOY. The average interest rate for 30-year fixed loans jumped from 6.43% to 6.55%, a second week of increases and the highest level in more than a month. “Both conventional and government home purchase applications increased last week. However, activity was still nearly 28% below last year’s pace, as high mortgage rates…

New Home Sales Increased In March

New home sales increased by more than expected in March but remain down significantly from last year, according to new estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Sales rose by 9.6% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 683,000, compared to just 1.1% in February. Sales remain down 3.4% YOY, which boasted an annual rate of 707,000. The seasonally‐adjusted estimate of new houses for sale was 432,000, representing a supply of 7.6 months at the current sales rate. Inventory remains tight even as more people are home-shopping this spring. As a result, home prices unexpectedly rose in February. “Homebuyers are window shopping and many are entering the store, but few of them are…

Rates Rise, Breaking Five-Week Downward Streak

Mortgage rates jumped last week, breaking a five-week streak of declines. Officials at Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.39%, up from 6.27% the week prior. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.11%. The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage also rose, up to 5.76% from 5.54%. A year ago, it averaged 4.38%. “For the first time in over a month, mortgage rates moved up due to shifting market expectations,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist.“Home prices have stabilized somewhat, but with supply tight and rates stuck above six percent, affordable housing continues to be a serious issue for many potential homebuyers. Unless rates drop into the mid five percent range, demand will only…

CHLA, NAR Offer Tweaks To FHA 203(k) Program

The Community Home Lenders of America and National Association of REALTORS sent a letter to the Federal Housing Administration offering advice on the 203(k) loan program. Section 203(k) insurance enables allows homebuyers to pay for both a house and the cost of its renovation through a single mortgage. It applies to refinances as well, so long as the home is more than a year old and the repairs cost at least $5,000. Both organizations applauded the program, saying the loans “create an opportunity for low to moderate income and first-time buyers to participate in homeownership by facilitating the financing of homes in need of rehabilitation.” There are 16 million vacant homes in the U.S., many of which are uninhabitable due…

Zoomers Prioritize Pet-Friendliness Over Their Romantic Partners When Choosing A Home

Zoomers are approaching homeownership from a different perspective than past generations, focusing more on their pets than their romantic partners. A recent Zillow survey found that Gen Z adults consider a fenced backyard more essential than a double sink in the primary bathroom, a home office for their partner, or a kids’ playroom. When asked whether it was more important to have a pet-friendly home or a kid-friendly home, features, 10% more Zoomers chose the former. At the same time, almost a full quarter of Gen Z pet owners would move if their home wasn’t working for their pets. Only 12% said the same about their partners’ preferences. “Young adults may be delaying parenthood, but they’re not putting off pet…

Mortgage Applications Rise Again After One-Week Slowdown

Mortgage applications righted themselves last week after a brief dip as buyers took advantage of cooling rates. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly survey says the adjusted Market Composite Index – a measure of mortgage loan application volume – increased by 5.3%, outstripping last week’s 4.1% decline. Adjusted purchase applications rose by 8%, while the unadjusted index was up 9% from the week before and 31% lower YOY. The average interest rate for 30-year fixed loans fell from 6.40% to 6.30%. This is the lowest level in two months. MBA’s SVP and Chief Economist Mike Fratantoni attributed this to slowing job market data released last week. Slowing employment leads to less demand for housing, typically pushing rates down, and vice versa.…

Mortgage Rates Declined Again, But Buyers Are Still Hesitant

The average mortgage rate declined for another week, giving buyers planning to finance a home this spring a little more bang for their buck. Officials at Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.28%, down from 6.32% the week prior. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.27%. The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage increased, however, from 5.56% to 5.64%. A year ago, it averaged 3.91%. “Mortgage rates continue to trend down entering the traditional spring homebuying season,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. Retreating rates aren’t enough to bring buyers priced out of the market back. Mortgage application volume, which had ticked up when rates first began declining, is dropping again as buyers contend…