Mortgage rates increased slightly last week, inching up after falling the week prior.
Officials at Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.81%, up from 6.78%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.30%.
The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage also increased, up to 6.11% from 6.06%. A year ago, it averaged 4.58%.
“Higher interest rates continue to dampen activity in interest rate-sensitive sectors, such as housing. However, overall U.S. consumer confidence is unwavering, surging to a two-year high in the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index for July 2023,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist.
“Rising consumer confidence often leads to greater spending, which could drive more consumers into the housing market.”
Consumers believe that…
Mortgage rates retreated last week, dropping more than ten basis points in a one-week period.
Officials at Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.78%, down from 6.96% the week prior. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.54%.
The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage reversed course as well, down a whopping 24 bps from 6.30% to 6.06%. A year ago, it averaged 4.75%.
“As inflation slows, mortgage rates decreased this week,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “Still, the ongoing shortage of previously owned homes for sale has been a detriment to homebuyers looking to take advantage of declining rates.”
Existing-home sales saw their most sluggish levels in 14 years in June.
At the…
Inflation cooled significantly in June, increasing by only 3% YOY, according to the Fed’s preferred inflation measure, the Consumer Price Index.
This is down from a 4% increase the month prior and fully a third less than its peak at nearly 9% last year.
June’s data suggests it’s possible for the U.S. to make a “soft landing” and reach its 2% inflation target without throwing the economy into recession. But it may yet be too early to celebrate.
“This is very promising news. The pieces of the puzzle are starting to come together,” Laura Rosner-Warburton, senior economist and founding partner at MacroPolicy Perspectives, told the New York Times. “But it’s just one report, and the Fed has been burned by…
Mortgage originations saw a boost in June as summer turned the corner, according to new data from Mortgage Capital Trading.
MCT’s Indices Report found that lock volumes increased by 31% last month, making up for a 15% decrease in May.
“We saw originations towards the end of May slow down, so this is likely a summertime pickup in originations,” said Andrew Rhodes, Senior Director and Head of Trading at MCT. “Rates, housing supply, and affordability will continue to be the forces behind the lack of new originations.”
Year-over-year locks were down nearly 8%, however.
Rhodes noted that the Federal Reserve’s decisions will impact lock volumes going forward.
If the Fed follows through on two additional rate hikes this year, mortgage…
Mortgage rates reversed course last week, jumping 10 bps in one week to their highest point of the year so far.
Officials at Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.81%, up from 6.71% the week prior.
A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.30%.
The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage shot up as well, from 6.06% to 6.24%. A year ago, it averaged 4.45%.
“This upward trend is being driven by a resilient economy, persistent inflation, and a more hawkish tone from the Federal Reserve. These high rates combined with low inventory continue to price many potential homebuyers out of the market,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist.
Minutes from the most recent FOMC…
Mortgage rates fell again, the third consecutive week of declines, but once again gave only an inch.
Officials at Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.67%, down from 6.69% the week prior.
A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.81%.
The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage slipped as well, down from 6.10% to 6.03%. A year ago, it averaged 4.92%.
“Mortgage rates slid down again this week but remain elevated compared to this time last year,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist.
“Potential homebuyers have been watching rates closely and are waiting to come off the sidelines. However, inventory challenges persist as the number of existing homes for sale remains very low. Though, a…
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…
Mortgage rates ticked down again, the second consecutive week of declines.
Officials at Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.69%, down from 6.71% the week prior.
A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.78%.
The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage increased, however, up from 6.07% to 6.10%. A year ago, it averaged 4.81%.
“Mortgage rates decreased slightly this week in anticipation of the pause in rate hikes by the Federal Reserve,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist.
The pause did come: after ten consecutive increases, the Fed declined to raise interest rates at its June meeting.
“We have been seeing the effects of our policy tightening on demand in the most interest-rate-sensitive sectors of…
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…
Mortgage rates declined last week, breaking a three-week streak of increases.
Officials at Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.71%, down from 6.79% the week prior.
A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.23%.
The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage also fell from 6.18% to 6.07%. A year ago, it averaged 4.38%.
“Mortgage rates decreased after a three-week climb,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “While elevated rates and other affordability challenges remain, inventory continues to be the biggest obstacle for prospective homebuyers.”
Elevated rates are keeping prospective home sellers locked in their current homes, unwilling to give up the super-low rates they scored during the pandemic housing boom. Builders are building, but not…
