Inman

Real estate refinancings drop

Overall mortgage applications declined 2.6 percent last week on a seasonally adjusted basis from the week before, with refinancings taking the biggest hit, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly survey.

The seasonally adjusted refinance index decreased by 4.9 percent to 2,004.9 from 2,107.4 one week earlier, whereas the purchase index decreased by 0.9 percent to 469.5 from 473.8 the previous week.

The refinance share of mortgage activity decreased to 43.5 percent of total applications from 44.5 percent the previous week. The adjustable-rate-mortgage share of activity decreased to 29.5 percent of total applications from 29.8 percent the previous week.

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages increased to 5.98 percent from 5.94 percent one week earlier. Points including the origination fee increased to 1.22 from 1.21 for 80 percent loan-to-value ratio loans.

The average contract interest rate for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages remained at 5.55 percent. Points including the origination fee increased to 1.19 from 1.15 for 80 percent loan-to-value ratio loans.

The average contract interest rate for one-year adjustable-rate mortgages increased to 5.26 percent from 5.13 percent one week earlier. Points including the origination fee decreased to 0.96 from 0.98 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.

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