Mortgage rates

Mortgage applications increased 3.6% from one week earlier even though rates remained mostly flat during the period, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's guarantee fee pricing last year kept the playing field fairly level for different-sized lenders.

Mortgage rates posted their biggest week-over-week increase since July and the 10-year Treasury yield also rose, according to Freddie Mac.

The share of mortgage refinance applications dropped below 50% for the first time since the start of September, as interest rates rose to a six-week high.

Overall housing confidence rose in September, with renters becoming particularly optimistic, according to Fannie Mae.

Mortgage rates ticked up to their highest mark in six weeks, reflecting the 20-basis-point rise in the 10-year Treasury yield during September, according to Freddie Mac.

In housing markets dominated by young borrowers, millennials took an even bigger share of overall mortgage activity in August.

Mortgage rates remained unchanged from last week even through the 10-year Treasury yield first moved lower then spiked up during the period, according to Freddie Mac.

Mortgage application activity decreased 0.5% from one week earlier as a decline in refinance volume was only partially offset by an increase in purchases.

The percentage of newly originated loans that are used to refinance an existing mortgage could shrink dramatically in 2018 as rates rise and burnout continues.