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☆ People are forking out record $2,800 a month on average just to cover their mortgage payments
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Theron Mohamed | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Mortgage holders are shelling out a record $2,800 on average to cover their monthly payments. The median monthly mortgage payment has jumped 11% over the past year to hit $2,775 for the four weeks ended April 14, Redfin data shows. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate spiked to a five-month high of 7.4% this week, per Mortgage News Daily. That has driven 30-year mortgage rates from about 3% at the start of 2022 to more than 7%, which has caused monthly mortgage payments to spike. The result is that consumers face a double-whammy of painful price increases and steeper monthly interest payments.

Persons: —, Barbara Corcoran, Bill Pulte Organizations: Service, Mortgage

☆ Mortgage rates are now at the highest level of the year, and could still climb
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The average rate on the popular 30-year fixed mortgage crossed over 7% on April 1, according to Mortgage News Daily, and it just kept going. It now sits right around 7.5%, the highest level since mid-November of last year. Rates hit their highest level in a few decades last October, causing home sales to grind to a halt. Rates then fell through mid-January to the mid-6% range and held there into February, causing a surge in home sales. "Sales data over the next few months is likely to reflect the impact of now-higher mortgage rates."

Persons: Jerome, Powell, Danielle Hale Organizations: Mortgage News Daily, Builders, Realtor.com

☆ March homes sales dropped despite a surge in supply. Here's why.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Rising mortgage rates are likely the cause of the slowdown. Mortgage rates stayed lower in January, in the mid 6% range on the popular 30-year fixed loan. Inventory did improve slightly, rising 4.7% month to month to 1.11 million homes for sale at the end of March. Investors pulled back a bit, making up 15% of sales, compared with 21% in February and 17% in March of last year. Mortgage rates have moved even higher this month, with the average rate on the 30-year fixed hovering around 7.5%, according to Mortgage News Daily.

Persons: Lawrence Yun, It's, Yun Organizations: National Association of Realtors, Investors, Mortgage News Locations: West, That's

☆ Mortgage rates are now at the highest level of the year, and could go even higher
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Persons: Jerome, Powell, Danielle Hale Organizations: Mortgage News Daily, Builders, Realtor.com

☆ Why mortgage applications have jumped despite rising interest rates
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWhy mortgage applications have jumped despite rising interest ratesMatthew Graham, chief operating officer at Mortgage News Daily, joins CNBC's 'The Exchange to break down his outlook for home mortgages, real estate prices, and more.

Persons: Matthew Graham Organizations: Mortgage News

☆ Weekly mortgage demand remains stalled, as interest rates stay stubbornly high
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Mortgage rates didn't move much last week, and for the second week in a row, neither did mortgage demand. Total mortgage application volume last week was essentially flat, dropping 0.6% from the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted index. "Elevated mortgage rates continued to weigh down on homebuying. Purchase applications were unchanged overall, although FHA purchases did pick up slightly over the week," noted Joel Kan, an MBA economist. Mortgage rates bounced higher to start this week, after new economic data on manufacturing came in higher than expected and noted higher prices.

Persons: Joel Kan, Matthew Graham Organizations: Mortgage, Federal Reserve, Mortgage News Locations: homebuying

☆ Mortgage demand stalls, even as interest rates moderate
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The usually busy spring housing market is underway, but mortgage demand isn't moving. Mortgage rates today are still about a half a percentage point higher than they were at this time last year, so recent borrowers have no incentive to refinance. "Purchase applications were essentially unchanged, as homebuyers continue to hold out for lower mortgage rates and for more listings to hit the market," said Joel Kan, an MBA economist in a release. Mortgage rates have basically moved sideways to start this week and are unlikely to change until next week, when more economic data is set to be released. "If inflation falls a bit more or if the economy shows marked signs of weakening, it would tip the scales in favor of lower rates."

Persons: Joel Kan, Matthew Graham Organizations: Mortgage, Mortgage News Locations: Miami , Florida

☆ February home sales spike 9.5%, the largest monthly gain in a year, as supply improves
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-21 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Sales of existing homes surged 9.5% in February from January to 4.38 million units, on a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, according to the National Association of Realtors. Sales were down 3.3% year over year, but it was the largest monthly gain since February 2023. Sales surged the most in the West, up 19.4%, and the South, up 16.4%. "Additional housing supply is helping to satisfy market demand," said Lawrence Yun, NAR's chief economist. Inventory rose 10.3% year over year to 1.07 million homes for sale at the end of February.

Persons: Lawrence Yun, Yun Organizations: National Association of Realtors . Housing, Mortgage News Daily Locations: West, California, Florida, Georgia

☆ Weekly mortgage demand drops as interest rates rise again, but Fed announcement will be key for spring market
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-20 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Mortgage interest rates rose last week for the first time in three weeks. As a result, total mortgage application volume dropped 1.6% compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted index. The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($766,550 or less) increased to 6.97% from 6.84%, with points decreasing to 0.64 from 0.65 (including the origination fee) for loans with a 20% down payment. That was the weekly average, but another index from Mortgage News Daily, which looks at daily rates, had the 30-year fixed mortgage moving back over 7% last Thursday. "Mortgage rates increased last week as incoming data showed inflation was still hotter than expected, which stoked concerns about the timing and extent to which the Fed might be able to reduce the fed funds rates this year," said Joel Kan, MBA's vice president and deputy chief economist.

Persons: Joel Kan Organizations: Mortgage, Mortgage News

☆ Weekly mortgage demand jumps again as interest rates fall just below 7%
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A For Sale sign is posted in front of a home for sale in San Marino, California on September 6, 2023. Mortgage rates swung slightly lower last week, fueling a significant jump in mortgage demand for the second straight week. Total application volume rose 7.1%, compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted index. Applications for a mortgage to purchase a home rose 5% for the week but were still 11% lower than a year ago. Mortgage rates rose slightly at the start of this week, after a government report on consumer prices came in higher than expected Tuesday.

Persons: Mike Fratantoni, Matthew Graham Organizations: Mortgage, Mortgage News Locations: San Marino , California

☆ 7% interest rates hit weekly mortgage demand hard
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Higher mortgage rates continue to hit demand from both current homeowners and potential homebuyers. Total mortgage application volume dropped 5.6% last week from the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted index. Fratantoni noted, however, that mortgage demand from buyers looking at newly built homes jumped 19% year over year in January. However, mortgage rates above 7% sure don't help," he added. Mortgage rates moved higher again to start this week, according to a separate survey from Mortgage News Daily.

Persons: Mike Fratantoni, Fratantoni, Matthew Graham Organizations: Mortgage, VA, FHA, Mortgage News

☆ Existing home sales rose 3% to start the year, but higher mortgage rates are already hurting
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Sales of previously owned homes rose 3.1% in January to 4 million units on a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, according to the National Association of Realtors. The count is based on closings, so the contracts were likely signed in November and December, when mortgage interest rates backed off their October high of 8%. "Listings were modestly higher, and home buyers are taking advantage of lower mortgage rates compared to late last year." While lower mortgage rates helped boost January sales, today's higher rates are already once again weighing on the market. Correction: The 32% all-cash share of January 2024 home sales was up from 29% in January 2023.

Persons: Lawrence Yun, Yun, It's Organizations: National Association of Realtors, Mortgage News, NAR, Redfin

☆ Mortgage rates shoot to 2-month high after new report shows inflation is still hot
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Homebuyers are facing a worsening affordability situation with mortgage rates hovering around the highest levels in more than a decade. Mortgage rates shot higher Friday after a monthly government report on wholesale prices showed inflation is still persistent and hotter than most analysts had expected. Mortgage rates hit their last high in October but then fell sharply over the next two months, leveling out at around 6.6% in December. In February's report, builders said they expected mortgage rates to continue to moderate in the coming months. "And while mortgage rates still remain too high for many prospective buyers, we anticipate that due to pent-up demand, many more buyers will enter the marketplace if mortgage rates continue to decline this year."

Persons: Matthew Graham, Alicia Huey Organizations: Mortgage News, . Census, National Association of Home Builders Locations: Albany , California, Birmingham , Alabama

☆ Mortgage rates surge higher again, causing homebuyers to pull back
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

After a brief reprieve in December and January, mortgage rates are moving higher again, and that is taking its toll on mortgage demand. Total mortgage application volume fell 2.3% last week compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted index. "That's because mortgage rates are climbing again and winter weather has been harsher than usual in much of the country, keeping some house hunters at home." Mortgage rates surged even higher Tuesday after a government report on inflation showed it was still stubbornly higher than expected. "The bond market (which underlies mortgage rates) reacted immediately and forcefully when the numbers came out.

Persons: Joel Kan, Chen Zhao, Bonds, Matthew Graham Organizations: Mortgage, Mortgage News Locations: Pico Rivera , California, Redfin

☆ Weekly mortgage demand from homebuyers is flattening as interest rates rise
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Mortgage demand is struggling to contend with what appears to be another upswing in interest rates. Total mortgage application volume rose 3.7% last week compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted index. Together, those two jumps made for the third-biggest increase in mortgage rates since March 2020. The refinance share of mortgage activity increased to 35.4% of total applications from 34.2% the previous week. Mortgage rates fell back slightly on Tuesday, but the move higher was an adjustment to surprisingly strong economic data, according to Matthew Graham, chief operating officer at Mortgage News Daily.

Persons: Joel Kan, Matthew Graham, They've Organizations: Mortgage, U.S . Labor Department, Mortgage News Daily, Mortgage News, CNBC PRO

☆ Mortgage rates jump back over 7% as stronger economic data rolls in
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Mortgage rates have been on a wild ride since the summer, briefly crossing to a 20-year high of 8% in October. Mortgage rates do not follow the Fed directly, but they follow loosely the yield on the 10-year Treasury, which is heavily influenced by the central bank's impression of the economy at any given time. As mortgage rates fell over the past two months, buyers seemed to be returning to the market. Mortgage applications to purchase a home had been rising steadily, but fell back in the last few weeks, as mortgage rates edged higher. "If we see more data like last Friday's jobs report, rates will have a hard time getting back below 7%.

Persons: Li Jianguo, Matthew Graham, Michael Fratantoni, Graham Organizations: National Association of Realtors, Getty, Mortgage News, Federal, Treasury, Fed, Mortgage, Association . Mortgage, CNBC PRO Locations: Millbrae , California, United States, Xinhua

☆ Weekly mortgage demand drops as buyers struggle to find affordable homes
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

After rising for several weeks, mortgage demand fell last week as buyers faced increased competition for a limited supply of homes. Total mortgage application volume fell 7.2% compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted index. Lower mortgage rates are putting more pressure on home prices, and are bringing more buyers into the market, increasing competition. Mortgage rates have barely moved in the last two weeks, but that could soon change. Friday's monthly employment report could also impact markets and swing mortgage rates in either direction depending on what it says about the broader economy.

Persons: Joel Kan, Matthew Graham Organizations: Mortgage, Federal Reserve, Mortgage News Locations: Clarksburg , Maryland

☆ Homebuyer demand pushes mortgage applications higher, even as interest rates inch up again
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Mortgage rates rose slightly last week, but that did not seem to deter homebuyers who have come back after the holidays. Mortgage applications to purchase a home rose 8% last week compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted index. Demand, however, was still 18% lower than the same week one year ago, when rates were lower. "Mortgage rates increased slightly last week, but there continues to be an upward trend in purchase activity," said Joel Kan, an MBA economist, in a release. Mortgage rates moved higher at the start of this week, although there appears to be no particular reason for the increase.

Persons: homebuyers, Joel Kan Organizations: Mortgage, Mortgage News, CNBC PRO Locations: Alhambra , California

☆ Wall Street is bullish on mortgage-backed securities for their juicy yields and attractive fundamentals
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Michelle Fox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

For investors looking for high-quality income with the potential for significant total return, agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS) may be the answer. Fitting MBS into your portfolio In fact, Atluri believes agency MBS are more attractive than investment-grade corporate right now. In addition, agency mortgage-backed securities also trade defensively if the economic outlook were to worsen, he added. About 25% of core bond fund holdings are in mortgage-backed securities, according to Morningstar. "Mortgage-backed securities didn't do as well [as investment grade] last year," said Wei Li, BlackRock's global chief investment strategist.

Persons: Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae, Jason Smith, Neuberger Berman, Smith, Michael Kessler, Kessler, Pramod, Atluri, Morningstar, Wei Li, Albion's Kessler Organizations: Agency MBS, U.S ., MBS, Mortgage News, Albion Financial Group, Federal Reserve, Capital Group, Fund of America, BlackRock

☆ December home sales slump to close out worst year since 1995
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Sales were 6.2% lower than in December 2022, marking the lowest level since August 2010. Full-year sales for 2023 came in at 4.09 million units, the lowest tally since 1995. Regionally, on a month-to-month basis, sales were unchanged in the Northeast and fell 4.3% in the Midwest. There were 1 million homes for sale at the end of December, making for a 3.2-month supply at the current sales pace. Individual investors, who make up a large share of all-cash sales, bought 16% of homes, down from 18% in November.

Persons: Lawrence Yun, Danielle Hale Organizations: National Association of Realtors, Midwest ., Mortgage News, Homes Locations: Northeast, West

☆ Mortgage demand down 9.4% for final week of 2023, despite recent drop in interest rates
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-03 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Mortgage demand ended 2023 on a sour note, despite a sharp drop in mortgage interest rates during December. Total application volume was down 9.4% for the week ended Dec. 29, compared with two weeks earlier, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted index. The average rate on the 30-year fixed ended the year at 6.76%, lower than where it was two weeks ago, but higher than it was a week ago. The builders are a bright spot, especially because they can buy down mortgage rates, but new homes do come at a price premium. Mortgage rates started this week higher after also edging up on Friday.

Persons: Joel Kan, refinanced, Matthew Graham Organizations: Mortgage, Federal Reserve, Mortgage News Daily, Reserve, CNBC PRO Locations: Miami , Florida

☆ November pending home sales were unchanged, despite a sharp drop in mortgage rates
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-28 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Mortgage rates are key in this report, with the average rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage soaring over 8% in mid-October before dropping sharply to 7.5% in the first week of November, according to Mortgage News Daily. Analysts had expected the drop to cause a slight gain in pending sales, but apparently it wasn't enough, given steep home prices and tight supply. Regionally, pending sales rose 0.8% month over month in the Northeast and 0.5% in the Midwest. Mortgage rates are now solidly in the mid-6% range, but the supply of homes for sale is still very low. "With mortgage rates falling further in December – leading to savings of around $300 per month from the recent cyclical peak in rates – home sales will improve in 2024," Yun added.

Persons: Lawrence Yun, –, Yun Organizations: National Association of Realtors, Mortgage News, Midwest ., Builders, CNBC PRO

☆ Pending home sales drop to a record low, even worse than during the financial crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Pending home sales, a measure of signed contracts on existing homes, dropped 1.5% in October from September. They hit the lowest level since the National Association of Realtors began tracking this metric in 2001, meaning it's even worse than readings during the financial crisis over a decade ago. Because the index measures signed contracts, it is the most recent indicator of housing demand. The realtors continue to say it's not just high rates but still very low supply of homes for sale that is deflating activity. The Realtors noted that sales of homes priced above $750,000 have been increasing simply because there is more supply on the high end of the market.

Persons: it's, Lawrence Yun Organizations: National Association of Realtors, Mortgage News, The realtors, NAR, Realtors Locations: Northeast

☆ Mortgage demand from homebuyers gets a boost as interest rates continue to fall
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Mortgage rates fell last week for the fourth time in five weeks, and homebuyers appear to be responding. That left total mortgage application volume essentially flat last week, up just 0.3% from the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted index. Mortgage applications to purchase a home rose 5% for the week but were still 19% lower than the same week one year ago. Mortgage rates are now 88 basis points higher than they were a year ago, but most current homeowners refinanced when rates were at record lows two years ago. "With rates already at two-month lows last week, the result is gentle descent to slightly lower two-month lows."

Persons: Joel Kan, Matthew Graham, Graham Organizations: Mortgage, Mortgage News, CNBC PRO Locations: refinance

☆ Mortgage demand jumps to six week high as interest rates continue to drop
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Total application volume increased 3% last week from the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted index. Most mortgage rates in our survey decreased, with the 30-year fixed mortgage rate decreasing to the lowest rate in two months," said Joel Kan, MBA's deputy chief economist. Applications to refinance a home loan increased 2% for the week and were just 4% lower than the same week one year ago. Applications for a mortgage to purchase a home increased 4% week to week but were still 20% lower than one year ago. Mortgage rates moved slightly lower this week, but analysts are not expecting any major moves in the near future.

Persons: Joel Kan, Kan, Matthew Graham Organizations: U.S . Mortgage, Mortgage, National Association of Realtors, Mortgage News Locations: Columbus , Ohio, U.S

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