Overall mortgage applications grew 1.5 percent last week on a seasonally adjusted basis from the week before, fueled by a surge in refinancings, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly survey.
The seasonally adjusted refinance index increased by 7 percent to 2,353.7 from 2,198.7 one week earlier, while the purchase index decreased by 2.6 percent to 500.3 from 513.4 the previous week.
The refinance share of mortgage activity increased to 45.6 percent of total applications from 42.9 percent the previous week. The adjustable-rate-mortgage share of activity increased to 29.8 percent of total applications from 28.2 percent the previous week.
The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages increased to 5.81 percent from 5.72 percent one week earlier. Points including the origination fee increased to 1.21 from 1.18 for 80 percent loan-to-value ratio loans.
The average contract interest rate for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages increased to 5.38 percent from 5.29 percent one week earlier. Points including the origination fee decreased to 1.25 from 1.31 for 80 percent loan-to-value ratio loans.
The average contract interest rate for one-year adjustable-rate mortgages increased to 4.94 percent from 4.82 percent one week earlier. Points including the origination fee decreased to 1 from 1.04 for 80 percent loan-to-value ratio loans.
Washington, D.C.-based Mortgage Bankers Association is a national association representing the real estate finance industry. The survey covers approximately 50 percent of all U.S. retail residential mortgage originations, and has been conducted weekly since 1990. Respondents include mortgage bankers, commercial banks and thrifts.
***
What’s your opinion? Send your Letter to the Editor to opinion@inman.com.
