Refinance

A growing share of refinances born by lower rates is pushing down risk levels for fraud on a mortgage application, according to First American.

Freddie Mac now forecasts that refinance volume will make up nearly half of third and fourth quarter production, and has increased its origination estimate for the year to over $2 trillion.

Mortgage rates remained near three-year lows last week, but their movement did not mirror the period's big shifts in the 10-year Treasury yield.

Mortgage rates rose for the first time since the middle of July, but that, along with continued consumer worries about the economy, helped to reduce application activity from the prior week.

Lower interest rates that have the power to reduce house payments are triggering a surge in mortgage refinancing activity and giving real estate agents hope that more affordable rates can lift area home sales that are barely lagging behind 2018.

Refinances jumped in July in response to a considerable mortgage rate decline from the month prior as homeowners set to lock in lower costs, according to Ellie Mae.

Mortgage rates continued to drop this week and hit their lowest levels since November 2016, while stimulating the real estate market and the economy, according to Freddie Mac.

Mortgage application volume fell last week as the small drop in interest rates slowed refinancing activity, while economic worries likely kept purchasers out of the market, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Wide short-term swings in interest rates — and loan prepayments — that we've all witnessed have serious secondary effects on consumers, lenders, investors and also policymakers.

The world's headlong dash to zero or negative interest rates just passed another milestone: Homebuyers in Denmark effectively are being paid to take out 10-year mortgages.