Mortgage applications increased 16.9% from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association's for the week ending July 13.
The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, increased 16.9% on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the Index increased 46% compared with the previous week.
The Refinance Index increased 22% from the previous week and is at the highest level since mid-June.
"Refinance application volume increased last week to near peak levels for the year as mortgage rates dropped to a new low, driven down by growing concerns about the health of the U.S. economy," said Mike Fratantoni, MBA's Vice President of Research and Economics. "Applications for HARP refinance loans accounted for 24% of refinance activity last week, in line with the HARP share for the past few weeks."
HARP is the government's Home Affordable Refinance Program.
The refinance share of mortgage activity increased to 80.1% of total applications, up from 77% the previous week. The adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) share of activity decreased to 4.1% of total applications.
In June, the number of both purchase and refinance applications increased the most in the West-South Central region, with a gain of 22.0% in purchase and 63.7% in refinance applications.
The region with the smallest increase in purchase applications was the New England region, growing by 9.4% while refinance applications increased the least in the Pacific region with a gain of 30.9%.
The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($417,500 or less) decreased to 3.74%, the lowest rate in the history of the survey, from 3.79%, with points increasing to 0.45 from 0.36 (including the origination fee) for 80% loan-to-value ratio (LTV) loans. The effective rate decreased from last week.
The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with jumbo loan balances (greater than $417,500) decreased to 3.98%, the lowest rate in the history of the survey, from 4.05%, with points decreasing to 0.32 from 0.34 (including the origination fee) for 80% LTV loans. The effective rate decreased from last week.
The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages backed by the FHA decreased to 3.55%, the lowest rate in the history of the survey, from 3.63%, with points increasing to 0.44 from 0.36 (including the origination fee) for 80% LTV loans. The effective rate decreased from last week.
The average contract interest rate for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages decreased to 3.12%, the lowest rate in the history of the survey, from 3.15%, with points increasing to 0.48 from 0.43 (including the origination fee) for 80% LTV loans. The effective rate decreased from last week.
The average contract interest rate for 5/1 ARMs remained unchanged at 2.71%, matching the lowest rate in the history of the survey, with points increasing to 0.51 from 0.36 (including the origination fee) for 80% LTV loans. The effective rate increased from last week.
Comments
another community
on Aug 7, 2012 at 9:56 am
on Aug 7, 2012 at 9:56 am
HARP is available only for the "lucky ones" who's mortgage was bought by/sold to Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae (government programs). There are still thousands of people who are grossly upsidedown with high interest payments that cannot take advantage of the current low interest rates. Even their mortgage holders (banks) will not work with them. This is sad as these homeowners will probably be the next flurry of foreclosures as their loan mods come to an end. More frustratingly, Boxer and Feinstein(especially Boxer)are doing absolutely nothing to help this large group of homeowners out. I know.
Registered user
Birdland
on Aug 7, 2012 at 10:10 am
Registered user
on Aug 7, 2012 at 10:10 am
Boxer/Frank/Dodd all wanted their constituents to get into a home (own, not break in), regardless as to whether they could afford one or not. The chickens are (still) coming home to roost. Some economists think it may take over 10 years for the housing market to finally recover from this latest social engineering experiment by the left. But, I'm sure they only had the best of intentions for these people and weren't just pandering for votes.
Bridle Creek
on Aug 7, 2012 at 11:55 am
on Aug 7, 2012 at 11:55 am
I'm a realtor, and I have to tell you that I had no intention of selling a home to someone who couldn't afford it, but then Nancy Pelosi came and threatened my family.
My husband is a mortgage banker. He had no intention of selling a home to someone who couldn't afford it, but then Barney Frank called us one night and said we had to package up all the toxic loans and sell them to other banks.
So, blame it on the Democrats. This wouldn't have happened during the Bush Administration!
Birdland
on Aug 7, 2012 at 5:37 pm
on Aug 7, 2012 at 5:37 pm
Dear "Liberalism is a Disease" and Cheryl, THANK YOU for telling the truth! You are absolutely correct!
God Bless you both!