Mortgage applications

Both purchases and refinance volumes climbed higher, as interest rates flattened following earlier volatility, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

In a seven-day period that saw several marks — including conforming interest rates — surge or dip past longtime highs and lows, overall mortgage activity cooled for a fifth consecutive week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

But a surge of the 30-year conforming rate to a high last seen in 2001 helped drive overall borrowing lower, even as buyer interest in government-backed products grew, the Mortgage Bankers Association said.

The news helped drive 30-year mortgage averages above 7% last week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Volumes were driven down largely by slowing conventional purchase activity resulting from ongoing interest rate and affordability challenges, the Mortgage Bankers Association said.

While the monthly amount decreased by only a few dollars in June, it was the first decline since late last year, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

The decline occurred even as interest rates held steady, but average loan amounts shot up due to a heightened slowdown of federally sponsored activity, the Mortgage Bankers Association said.

Declining rates contributed to a surge in refinances, but a sluggish market is capping purchase activity, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

A decline in refinances was offset by a rise in purchase loans, largely among government-guaranteed programs, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.