Key Highlights
- Average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed decreased to 3.06% from 3.14% during week ending August 10
- Mortgage purchase applications increased +2% for week ending August 10
- Mortgage purchase applications +22% higher compared to same week one year ago
Two consecutive weeks of record low interest rates fueled consumer demand for houses during the week ending August 10. Mortgage application volume kicked up a significant +6.8% from the week prior, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA).
Download Your FREE Ultimate Agent Survival Guide Now. This is the exact ‘do this now’ info you need. Learn NOW How to Access All The Bailout Program Cash You Deserve. Including Unemployment and Mortgage Forbearance Plans. To Access the Ultimate Agent Survival Guide Now Text The Word SURVIVAL to 47372. 4 Msgs/Month. Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. Msg&data rates may apply. Terms & privacy: slkt.io/JWQt
Joel Kan, an MBA economist, said, “Mortgage rates fell across the board last week, as investors grew less optimistic of the economic rebound given the resurgence of virus cases. Loan types such as the 30-year fixed, 15-year fixed and jumbo all reached survey lows.”
Mortgage refinance applications, the most sensitive to rate changes, surged +9% during the week ending August 10 and were +47% higher than the same week one year ago. The refinance share of mortgage activity increased from 63.9% the week prior to 65.7%. This refinance share of mortgage activity was the highest since April of this year.
Mortgage purchase applications increased +2% for the week and were +22% higher than the same week last year. However, according to the MBA’s Kan, “While this was still positive news for the purchase market, the gradual slowdown in the improvement in the job market and tight housing inventory remain a concern for the coming months, even as low mortgage rates continue to provide support.”
Some industry experts think that the time frame for low mortgage rates may be closing. Since mortgage rates loosely follow the 10-year US Treasury yield and the bond market had a sell-off mid last week, Matthew Graham, COO at Mortgage News Daily, indicated that in the one bond-sell-off day, rates hit the highest levels in more than two weeks. Graham said, “Days like today (the bond sell-off-day) should serve to increase our level of caution when it comes to assuming rates will continue to move lower. Also, it should argue for an increased level of preparation so we can make sure we can take advantage of opportunities to capitalize on any potential rate recovery.”
Thanks to CNBC.
Also read: Are Low Rates Driving Luxury Sales?, Unseasonably Hot Late-Summer Housing Market, Why It’s Now Harder to Get a Mortgage/Refinance
