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…

Mortgage Rates Tick Down Thanks To Fed Pause

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…

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…

Rates Fall, Breaking Upward Streak

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…

Applications Fall For A Fourth Straight Week

Mortgage applications fell for a fourth consecutive week, even as rates retreated from near-7% highs. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly survey shows the adjusted Market Composite Index – a measure of mortgage loan application volume – decreased by 1.4%. Adjusted purchase applications fell by 2%, while the unadjusted index was down 13% from the week before and 27% lower YOY. Rates took a turn, however, with the average interest rate for 30-year fixed loans falling 10 bps from 6.91% to 6.81%. Though that’s good news for home shoppers who can’t wait for a major shift in rates, it’s still the second-highest rate of 2023. “Overall applications were more than 30% lower than a year ago, as borrowers continue to grapple…

Just 6% Of Potential Buyers Plan To Purchase This Summer

With affordability at its worst level in more than three decades, most Americans are putting off buying a home until rates fall. Only 6% of Americans interested in buying a home are planning to do so this summer, with the majority waiting for interest rates to drop, according to BMO’s Real Financial Progress Index. Just 4% say they expect to buy in the fall. High rates, low inventory, and sky-high house prices are keeping potential buyers on the sidelines. Of those who don’t currently own a property, 65% are holding off due to the state of the economy. In the current high-rate environment, affordability is an insurmountable challenge for many buyers. As of May, each of the 100 largest U.S.…

Capitol Hill News Pushes Rates Up

Mortgage rates increased again last week due to a heap of political and financial news. Officials at Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.57%, up from 6.39% the week prior. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.10%. The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage rose from 5.75% to 5.97%. A year ago, it averaged 4.31%. Daily average rates even exceeded 7% on May 25, hitting their highest level since November. “The U.S. economy is showing continued resilience which, combined with debt ceiling concerns, led to higher mortgage rates this week,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist.  At the current rate, 6.57%, Redfin reported that the typical buyer’s monthly mortgage payment amounts to $2,614, a…

May Slump: Mortgage Applications Down Again

Mortgage applications fell again last week as borrowers recoil in the face of rising rates. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly survey shows the adjusted Market Composite Index – a measure of mortgage loan application volume – decreased by 4.6%, adding to last week’s drag. Adjusted purchase applications fell by 4%, while the unadjusted index was down 5% from the week before and 30% lower YOY. The average interest rate for 30-year fixed loans rose from 6.57% to 6.69%, the highest level since March. “Since rates have been so volatile and for-sale inventory still scarce, we have yet to see sustained growth in purchase applications. Refinance activity remains limited, with the refinance index falling to its lowest level in two months…

Rates Reverse Course

After falling slightly the week before, mortgage rates shot right back up last week, continuing to fluctuate within the 6% range. Officials at Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.39%, up from 6.35% the week prior. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.25%. The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage remained unchanged at 5.75%. A year ago, it averaged 4.43%. “The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.39% this week, as economic crosscurrents have kept rates within a ten-basis point range over the last several weeks,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist.  “After the substantial slowdown in growth last fall, home prices stabilized during the winter and began to modestly rise over the last few months.…

Purchase Apps Fall To Slowest Pace In A Month

Mortgage applications fell last week, wiping out the prior week’s gains, as purchase applications dropped to their slowest pace in a month. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly survey shows the adjusted Market Composite Index – a measure of mortgage loan application volume – decreased by 6.3%, changing course after last week’s 6.3% increase. Adjusted purchase applications fell by 4.8%, while the unadjusted index was down 5% from the week before and 26% lower YOY. The average interest rate for 30-year fixed loans rose from 6.48% to 6.57%, its highest level in two months. Refinances fell 8% from the week prior after a 10% increase last week. They remain 43% lower than the same time last year, comprising only 27.4% of…