Housing

Mortgage Applications Turn Higher, Rates Fall Too

House for Sale
Thinkstock
The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) released its weekly report on mortgage applications this morning, noting an increase of 14.8% in the group’s seasonally adjusted composite index, following a drop of 3.8% for the previous week.

The seasonally adjusted purchase index jumped by 15% from the previous report. On an unadjusted basis, the composite index rose by 15% week-over-week. The unadjusted purchase index is rose 18% for the week and is up 17% year-over-year.

The share of refinancings was unchanged last week at 77%, the lowest level since last July.

The average contract interest rate for a conforming 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell from 3.77% to 3.70%. The rate for a jumbo 30-year fixed-rate mortgage decreased from 3.93% to 3.80%. The average interest rate for a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage fell from 3.03% to 2.96%.

The contract interest rate for a 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage remained fell from 2.65% to 2.55%.

The sharp jump in applications in the past week was either a cause of or the result of a concomitant drop in mortgage rates, which have been rising slightly for the past few weeks. More likely is that rates came down and applications went up.

The spring selling season traditionally gets underway in March, and one thing to be aware of now is the inventory of homes for sale, which is very low. That will have the effect of lifting home prices and may have an impact as well on both mortgage applications and rates.

The Average American Is Losing Momentum On Their Savings Every Day (Sponsor)

If you’re like many Americans and keep your money ‘safe’ in a checking or savings account, think again. The average yield on a savings account is a paltry .4%1 today. Checking accounts are even worse.

But there is good news. To win qualified customers, some accounts are paying more than 7x the national average. That’s an incredible way to keep your money safe and earn more at the same time. Our top pick for high yield savings accounts includes other benefits as well. You can earn a $200 bonus and up to 7X the national average with qualifying deposits. Terms apply. Member, FDIC.

Click here to see how much more you could be earning on your savings today. It takes just a few minutes to open an account to make your money work for you.

1 https://www.fdic.gov/national-rates-and-rate-caps

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.

AI Portfolio

Discover Our Top AI Stocks

Our expert who first called NVIDIA in 2009 is predicting 2025 will see a historic AI breakthrough.

You can follow him investing $500,000 of his own money on our top AI stocks for free.