On an unadjusted basis, the composite index increased by 17% week-over-week. The seasonally adjusted purchase index decreased 3% compared to the week ended January 2. The unadjusted purchase index rose by 3% for the week and is now 3% higher year-over-year.
The MBA’s chief economist explained:
Mortgage application volume increased last week to its highest level since June 2013, led by a 22 percent increase in refinance application volume. This increase was largely due to mortgage rates dropping to their lowest level since May 2013. However, the recent reduction in FHA mortgage insurance premiums also played a role: FHA refinance applications increased 57 percent last week.
Adjustable rate mortgage loans accounted for 6.4% of all applications, up from 5.9% in the prior week.
The MBA’s refinance index increased 22% week-over-week, and the percentage of all new applications that were seeking refinancing rose from 71% in the prior week to 74%.
Conventional refinancing applications rose 21% week-over-week, while government refinancing rose 29%. FHA refinancing applications rose 57%, raising the FHA share of all refinancings from 4.1% to 5.2%, compared with the prior week.
The average mortgage loan rate for a conforming 30-year fixed-rate mortgage decreased from 3.89% to 3.80%, the lowest rate since May 2013. The rate for a jumbo 30-year fixed-rate mortgage decreased from 3.88% to 3.86%, also the lowest since May 2013. The average interest rate for a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage decreased from 3.16% to 3.10%, again the lowest since May 2013.
The contract interest rate for a 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage loan decreased from 2.94% to 2.87%, the lowest since June 2013. Rates on a 30-year FHA-backed fixed rate loan fell from 3.71% to 3.66%, the lowest rate since May 2013.
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