Good Morning! Today is Wednesday, April 11. Pentagon officials will testify about U.F.O.s before a House panel next week, the first such hearing in more than 50 years. The House passed $40 billion more in aid for Ukraine, totaling about $53 billion over two months. Biden called bringing down inflation his “top domestic priority.” The Mortgage Note Reports Loan Applications Up: Mortgage loan application volume rose by 2% last week even as rates rose to their highest point since 2009. Another Glimmer Of Hope For Homebuyers: Active listings were down only 12.2% in April, their smallest YOY decline since December 2019 and a possible sign that inventory may rebound. And in other mortgage and housing news… US Delinquencies: US mortgage delinquencies were down 2.5% YOY in February, falling to a…
Mortgage loan application volume rose by 2% last week, the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) weekly survey shows. The adjusted Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, rose by 2%. The adjusted purchase index increased by 5%, while the unadjusted purchase index was up by 5% and was 8% lower YOY. The refinance index fell 2% and was down 72% YOY. Refinances made up 32.4% of total applications, down from 33.9%. ARM activity accounted for 10.8% of total applications, up from 9.3%. “The increase in mortgage applications last week was driven by a strong gain in application activity for conventional and government purchase loans, even as mortgage rates rose to their highest level – 5.53%– since 2009. Despite…
Good Morning! Today is Friday, May 6. The U.S. provided intelligence that helped Ukraine sink the flagship of Russia’s Black Sea fleet. The FDA further limited the use of Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine. Karine Jean-Pierre will become the first Black woman and first openly gay person to serve as White House press secretary. The Mortgage Note Reports Rates Back Up: Mortgage rates shot back up after a one-week reversal of their upward trend, averaging 5.29% last week. Asking Prices: In April, 15% of home sellers dropped their asking prices, a 5.9% YOY increase that coincides with monthly mortgage payments rising 42% YOY. In Case You Missed It: This week, Editor Kimberley Haas reported that the CEO of United Wholesale Mortgage has come under fire after posting online that he is “disappointed” with…
As affordability declines, the hot housing market is starting to see signs of cooling. In April, 15% of home sellers dropped their asking prices, a 5.9% YOY increase, Redfin reported. The increase is a six-month-high and the largest annual gain on Redfin’s record, which dates back to 2015. But buyers still outnumber sellers, so the market remains competitive and homes priced affordably continue to sell for more than asking. New listings of homes for sale were down 6% YOY and have dwindled since mid-March. The median asking price of newly listed homes rose 16% YOY to $408,458, a new all-time high. So even as more sellers are dropping prices to entice buyers, their returns are still significant. “Homebuyers continue to…
Mortgage rates shot back up after a one-week reversal of their upward trend, averaging 5.29% last week, Freddie Mac reported Thursday. Freddie’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) found that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 5.29%, up from 5% last week. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 2.96%. “Mortgage rates resumed their climb this week as the 30-year fixed reached its highest point since 2009,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “While housing affordability and inflationary pressures pose challenges for potential buyers, house price growth will continue but is expected to decelerate in the coming months.” Affordability dropped in Q1 2022, with monthly mortgage payments on the typical home rising to $1,383 (+30% YOY). Homeowners…
Good Morning! Today is Thursday, May 5. New England’s three Republican governors said they would protect abortion rights in their states regardless of the Supreme Court’s decision. The Russian bombing of a Mariupol theater in March killed about 600 people. A growing number of people have tested positive for Covid after the White House Correspondents Dinner. The Mortgage Note Reports Applications Tick Up: Mortgage loan application volume rose by 2.5% last week, good news at the start of a so-far slow spring buying season. Spring Selling: Selling a home in May, June, or July brings premiums of 10% or more above market value, as colder months see significantly lower profits for sellers. And in other mortgage and housing news… 50 Point Hike: The Fed raised its benchmark interest rate…
Mortgage loan application volume rose by 2.5% last week, the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) weekly survey shows. The adjusted Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, rose by 2.5%. The adjusted purchase index increased by 4%, while the unadjusted purchase index was up by 5% and was 11% lower YOY. The refinance index increased 0.2% and was down 71% YOY. Refinances made up 33.9% of total applications, down from 37.1%. ARM activity accounted for 9.3% of total applications. “The 30-year fixed rate was 5.36%, up over two percentage points from a year ago. The 127-basis-point jump in rates over the past two months has triggered a 49% drop in refinance activity,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s Associate Vice…
Good Morning! Today is Friday, April 29. Russian missiles struck Kyiv. President Biden asked Congress for an additional $33 billion to aid Ukraine, which would more than triple U.S. spending on the war. The F.D.A. plans to ban sales of menthol cigarettes. The Mortgage Note Reports Rates Fall Back: Mortgage rates declined for the first time after a weeks-long upward streak, averaging 5% last week. Forbearances Steady: In its last weekly report, Black Knight found forbearances largely holding steady in a “typical” pattern for the end of the month. In Case You Missed It: This week, Chuck Green reported on whether there is a brewing housing bubble while Editor Kimberley Haas wrote about how leaders at Rocket Mortgage are working to end the digital divide in Detroit and that a shortage of…
Mortgage rates declined for the first time after a weeks-long upward streak, averaging 5% last week, Freddie Mac reported Thursday. Freddie’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) found that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 5%, down from 5.11% last week. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 2.98%. “The combination of swift home price growth and the fastest mortgage rate increase in over forty years is finally affecting purchase demand,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “Homebuyers navigating the current environment are coping in a variety of ways, including switching to adjustable-rate mortgages, moving away from expensive coastal cities, and looking to more affordable suburbs. We expect the decline in demand to soften home price growth…
Good Morning! Today is Thursday, April 28. New York State’s highest court threw out Democratic-drawn legislative maps as partisan gerrymanders. American and European officials say they are worried the war could escalate beyond Ukraine. The Mortgage Note Reports Applications Drop: Mortgage loan application volume plummeted by 8.3% last week, with overall application activity dropping to its lowest level since 2018. St. Mary’s Board: St. Mary’s Bank has elected Stephen Grzywacz as chairman and Elizabeth Hitchcock as vice-chairman. Do You Like Our Newsletter? Then share this email with a friend so they can go to our website and sign up to receive it every weekday, too! And in other mortgage and housing news… NAHB Asks For Action: Members of NAHB sent a letter calling on the White House to take action on the…
