Mortgage applications

While purchase volume is seeing its usual seasonal pickup, lower rates caused a spike in activity among existing homeowners looking to refinance.

And with demand far outweighing supply, the average new-home purchase loan ascended to another record high.

But the percentage of weekly applications in that category was closer to 60%, the Mortgage Bankers Association found.

Mortgage rates that are rising in tandem with a recovering economy dampened borrower activity, even with prime homebuying season underway.

While there were fewer new mortgages sought on a week-to-week basis, the index was higher than it has been during the same week in the last two years.

Despite a 3% increase in new mortgages, overall applications dropped 2% on a consecutive-week basis due to a 5% decline in refis, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

While the economic recovery and stimulus checks drove upward movement in purchases, it wasn’t enough to offset tumbling refinance activity.

“Builders continue to be confronted with rising input costs and a lack of available lots, causing them to slow production,” MBA’s Joel Kan said.

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.

Mortgage applications increased 0.8% from one week earlier, an indicator of the housing market’s strength as this year comes to an end, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

The accused, who also faces vehicle title and investment fraud charges, allegedly submitted falsified statements related to the payoff of an earlier mortgage when applying for a new one.