Mortgage rates

Markets react calmly to inflationary worries, but short supply and rising home prices loom as a greater concern.

Limited housing supply, climbing rates cause applications to decline across the board.

While purchasing power grew for the 16th straight month in April, surging property values and increased mortgage rate forecasts will keep driving down affordability, according to First American.

Median home prices are higher than the historical average in 61% of U.S. counties, Attom Data Solutions said, and it's unclear if the situation gets better or worse.

Corresponding Treasury yields seesawed over the past week, as some experts see “transitory” inflation persisting.

Increases in refinances, both in applications and average size, help lead overall numbers higher

While purchasing power rose due to low rates and increasing income, “homebodies” suppressed inventory, according to First American.

Signs from the Fed regarding tapering and interest rate hikes could spell the end to the year’s low rates.

A spike in government-sponsored applications helped lead indexes to their largest gains in several weeks.

Changed borrower psychology and the severe housing inventory shortage dropped lending activity across the board, according to Black Knight.

Recent reports show inflation rising, but employment underperforming, while interest rates dropped across the board.

Purchase loans tick upward, even as housing demand pushes prices well above 2020 levels.

While a growing share of consumers feel optimistic about the economic recovery underway, the extreme seller’s market made the majority of prospective borrowers pessimistic for only the second time in 10 years, according to Fannie Mae.

Home prices grew at a record annual pace in April but indicators of a possible slowdown popped up in May, Redfin noted.

Rates have seesawed in recent weeks, with investors looking for signs of inflation as the economy recovers from the pandemic.

The MBA’s Market Composite Index decreased a seasonally adjusted 4% last week, dropping to a point not seen since February 2020.

The steady pace of refinance activity has also continued, as borrowers seek to take advantage of sub-3% rates.

While purchases increased, refinancing activity slowed considerably compared to its pace over the past month.

A week of light data could possibly lead to further mortgage-rate volatility ahead depending on what monetary officials say in the coming days.

Remote workers looking across the country for an inexpensive house have a wide net to cast, but a few important socioeconomic factors can narrow the search.