Mortgage applications

Severe winter weather and another hike in mortgage rates stifled loan volume for the week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

But the average amount for a purchase loan increased to an all-time high, showing the upper end of the housing market remains strong.

After mortgage rates rose for three weeks, borrowers took advantage of a 3-basis-point dip and sparked a short-term refinancing rally, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

While financing costs are still low enough to offset sticker-shock from rising home prices, a slight increase in the average 30-year conforming rate weighed on borrowers, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Mortgage applications decreased 1.9% from one week earlier as rising rates started to affect refinance activity, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Purchase apps for new homes only eked out a small gain in December but the Mortgage Bankers Association is forecasting that they will continue to increase.

Mortgage applications increased 16.7% from one week earlier to their highest level in 10 months, although rates rose in expectation of additional government pandemic relief, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

When the Uniform Residential Loan Application transition deadline hits on March 1, a data set within Fannie Mae’s Desktop Underwriter Program, which many lenders have used for a host of functions, will no longer be supported and unprepared lenders could later experience disruption.

Mortgage applications decreased 4.2% over the final two weeks of 2020, but the strong demand for home buying throughout most of the year should continue, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Mortgage rates yet again have dropped to a record low, even as the yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury flirts with breaking back above the 1% mark, according to Freddie Mac.