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☆ Weekly mortgage refinance demand soars 16% as rates sink to lowest level in over a year
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-07 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Mortgage interest rates dropped last week to the lowest level since May 2023, causing a surge in mortgage demand from both homebuyers and especially current homeowners. Total mortgage application volume rose 6.9% last week compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted index. "Despite the downward movement in rates, purchase activity only saw small gains, with an increase in conventional purchase applications offset by decreases in government purchase applications. "This is how things often play out when the bond market forces a quick move to extreme rate levels. For example, several of the biggest drops in daily mortgage rates have followed quick moves to long-term highs," wrote Matthew Graham, chief operating officer at Mortgage News Daily.

Persons: Joel Kan, Matthew Graham Organizations: Mortgage, Federal Reserve, Mortgage News Locations: Hawthorn Woods , Illinois

☆ Mortgage rates plunge to the lowest level in over a year after weak employment report
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-02 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The average rate on the popular 30-year fixed mortgage dropped 22 basis points to 6.4% Friday, according to Mortgage News Daily. The 15-year fixed rate fell to 5.89%, its lowest level since early May 2023. Mortgage rates loosely follow the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury. The 30-year fixed rate started the week at 6.81%, so the drop in just the past five days is dramatic. Buyers were battling not just high interest rates but high home prices and a lack of supply.

Persons: Jerome, Powell didn't, Matthew Graham, Graham, Mike Fratantoni Organizations: Mortgage News, Treasury, Federal, Buyers, Mortgage, Association, Mortgage Bankers Association

☆ Mortgage demand drops, as homebuyers wait for lower rates
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-24 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Mortgage interest rates eased very slightly last week, but not enough to get today's potential homebuyers off the fence. Homebuyers are also likely waiting for interest rates to drop further. While mortgage rates don't follow the Fed exactly (they follow loosely the yield on the 10-year Treasury), rates will come down if investors believe inflation is easing. "We'd probably want to see mortgage rates come down 100 basis points, so I think if we had a five handle, even in the high fives, I think the market could see more momentum." Rates today are very slightly lower than they were last year at this time.

Persons: Joel Kan, Ivy Zelman, Kan Organizations: Mortgage, Association, Federal Reserve Locations: Hawthorn Woods , Illinois

☆ June home sales slump, pointing to a buyer's market as supply increases
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-23 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

"We're seeing a slow shift from a seller's market to a buyer's market," said Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the Realtors. These inventory levels are the highest supply since May 2020, boosted by homes sitting on the market longer. Supply of homes for sale is weakest on the lower end, but is seeing a new surge now. While the sales price nationally is high, new listing prices are lower. Either home sales rise, or, if the prices do not rise, the prices would buckle down," Yun added.

Persons: Lawrence Yun, Danielle Hale, Yun Organizations: National Association of Realtors, Realtors, Realtor.com, Investors Locations: Patchogue, N.Y, Patchogue , New York

☆ Here's why international buyers are pulling way back from the U.S. housing market
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-17 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

As a result, international buyers are pulling out. This comes as both the average ($780,300) and median ($475,000) purchase prices were the highest the NAR ever recorded for foreign buyers. "Therefore, it's not surprising to see a pullback in U.S. home sales from foreign buyers." International buyers tend to pull back during times of political uncertainty. It is unlikely sales from foreign buyers will improve in the coming year unless several factors, both economic and political, improve.

Persons: they're, Lawrence Yun, it's, Yuval Golan, Golan, Waltz Organizations: National Association of Realtors, NAR, FDIC Locations: Canada, China, Mexico, India, Florida , Texas , California, Arizona

☆ Mortgage refinance demand drops further, despite homeowners sitting on $17 trillion in equity
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-10 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The recent run-up in home prices, a staggering increase of more than 40% from pre-pandemic levels, should have current homeowners rushing to refinance. But for most, pulling that cash out simply costs too much now that interest rates are more than twice what they were just two years ago. Applications to refinance a home dropped last week for the fourth straight week, down 2%, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted index. Homeowners were sitting on a collective $17 trillion in equity at the end of the first quarter of 2024, according to CoreLogic. Mortgage rates haven't moved at all so far this week, despite Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's testimony before Congress on Tuesday.

Persons: Joel Kan, Kan, Jerome Powell's, Powell, Matthew Graham Organizations: Mortgage, Homeowners, Consumer, Mortgage News

☆ This cement startup says it goes beyond net zero to true zero carbon emissions
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-10 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

"By decomposing minerals at ambient temperature using electrochemistry, it actually allows us to use minerals that contain calcium for cement that aren't limestone, and that's what makes us true zero as opposed to net zero," Ellis explained. Its One Boston Wharf Road will be the largest net zero office building in the city, with Sublime cement in the ground floor public space. Its venture capital backers are Lower Carbon Capital, Engine Ventures, Energy Impact Partners, Prime Impact Fund, Siam Cement Group and MCJ Collective. For perspective, about 90 million tons of cement are produced in the U.S. per year. "This is a first-of-a kind process, and we're competing with a technologies that have been scaled to a million tons per year plus for, you know, decades.

Persons: Leah Ellis, Ellis, they'll, Yanni Tsipis, Lisa Rizzolo Organizations: Systems, Sublime Systems, WS Development, Sublime, U.S . Department of Energy, Carbon, Engine Ventures, Energy Impact Partners, Impact Fund, Siam Cement Group, MCJ, CNBC Locations: Fortera, Massachusetts, Boston, Portland, U.S

☆ It suddenly looks like there are too many homes for sale. Here's why that's not quite right
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-09 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The housing market is just beginning to come out of its leanest few years in history. Inventory of both new and existing homes is finally rising, but there is something suddenly strange in the numbers: The supply of newly built homes appears to be way too high. The supply scenarioThere is currently a 4.4-month supply of both new and existing homes for sale, according to the National Association of Home Builders, or NAHB. In fact, there is now a nine-month supply of newly built homes for sale, nearly three times that of existing homes. The foundation of today's tricky numbersThis housing market is unlike any other because of economic forces unlike any other.

Persons: Jordan Vonderhaar, Robert Dietz, Homebuilders, Brandon Bell Organizations: National Association of Home Builders, Bloomberg, Getty, Housing, Federal Reserve, Builders Locations: San Marcos , Texas, Austin , Texas

☆ Home prices begin to cool as active listings jump 35%
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-27 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Some of the heat is coming out of home prices, even though they're still higher than they were a year ago. Several new reports show the price gains are shrinking and home sellers are starting to give in after a stagnant spring market. A year ago at that time the typical home was selling at list price. Two years ago it was selling at about 2% above list price. While most sellers are still listing their homes at higher prices than comparable homes sold for a year ago, some are conceding that they simply can't command those prices.

Persons: they're

☆ Both mortgage rates and weekly mortgage demand are stuck in place, suggesting a slow summer housing market
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

High home prices continue to rise, mortgage rates aren't coming off recent highs, and consumers are unimpressed by the small increase in home listings. All of that is reflected in weekly mortgage demand, which has been stuck for the second week in a row. Total mortgage application volume was essentially flat last week, up just 0.8% from the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted index. Mortgage rates didn't move much either. Any hint at the current state of inflation tends to have an impact on bond yields and, consequently, mortgage rates.

Persons: Joel Kan, Kan Organizations: Mortgage Locations: Hawthorn Woods , Illinois

☆ Here's how bad housing affordability is now
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-25 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Home prices set another record in April, even as mortgage rates rose and the supply of homes for sale increased. Usually, under those circumstances, prices would weaken, but today's housing market is unlike any other in recent history. The housing cost burden has hit a record, according to a new report from Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies. Housing supply was already low before the Covid pandemic hit, because homebuilders had yet to recover from the 2008 financial crisis. Then there was a pandemic-induced run on housing, causing supply to drop to record lows for several years.

Persons: Brian Luke, Dow, HJCH, homebuilders, Homebuilders couldn't, Orphe Divounguy Organizations: Mortgage News, Dow Jones, Harvard's, for Housing Studies

☆ Home prices hit record high in May as sales stall
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-21 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

watch nowSales of previously owned homes are sitting at a 30-year low and didn't move much in May as prices hit a new record and mortgage rates remain high. The sluggish sales pace came as rates took a big leap in April. David Ryder | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesSales were unchanged month to month in all regions except the South, where they fell 1.6%. At the current sales pace, there is now a 3.7-month supply. "Eventually, more inventory will help boost home sales and tame home price gains in the upcoming months.

Persons: Lawrence Yun, David Ryder, Yun Organizations: National Association of Realtors, Mortgage News, NAR, Bloomberg, Getty Locations: Issaquah Highlands, Issaquah , Washington, US

☆ Mortgage demand flattens even as interest rates hit the lowest level since March
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-19 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Consumers seemed unimpressed by the latest drop in mortgage rates. Total mortgage application volume rose just 0.9% compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted index. "Mortgage rates dropped last week following the latest inflation data and the FOMC meeting," said Mike Fratantoni, MBA's SVP and chief economist. Mortgage applications to purchase a home rose 2% for the week and were 12% lower than the same week one year ago. Mortgage rates moved a little bit higher to start this week but then pulled back Tuesday after weaker than expected retail sales data.

Persons: Mike Fratantoni, Matthew Graham Organizations: Mortgage, MBA's, Mortgage News

☆ Luxury homes on these beaches are losing value fast, as effects of climate change hit hard
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-14 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

watch nowAs sea levels rise and storms intensify, coastal real estate is seeing flooding and erosion like never before. From Dana Point, California, to Long Island, New York and Nantucket, Massachusetts, some of the nation's priciest coastal real estate is in an increasingly precarious position due to climate change. Various risk models have shown myriad projections for falling real estate values, but the effects of climate change are already hitting the market — and at a faster pace than most expected. A Nantucket home listed last summer for just over $2 million sold early this year for just $600,000. "There have been several," said Shelly Lockwood, a real estate agent on Nantucket.

Persons: Dana, Shelly Lockwood, Lockwood, that's, it's, Kay Tyler, he's, Chris Farley, Farley, Diana Olick, Olick Organizations: National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, Nantucket, Boston Globe, First, CNBC Locations: Dana Point , California, Long, , New York, Nantucket , Massachusetts, Nantucket, Montauk, Gulf Coasts, United States, Lockwood

☆ A brief drop in mortgage rates caused a huge surge in demand, but it may be short-lived
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-12 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Mortgage rates dropped for much of last week, causing total mortgage application volume to surge nearly 16% compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted index. But rates jumped back up again after a stronger-than-expected monthly employment report Friday. For the bulk of the week, rates were lower than that, but Friday's news caused rates to jump 12 basis points, according to a separate survey from Mortgage News Daily. Homebuyers are not only contending with high interest rates but also high home prices. A monthly survey from Fannie Mae found 86% of consumers say now is a bad time to buy a home.

Persons: Mike Fratantoni, Fannie Mae, Fratantoni, Matthew Graham of Organizations: Mortgage, Mortgage News, Federal Reserve, Matthew Graham of Mortgage News

☆ Mortgage demand falls for the second straight week, but all eyes are on Friday's jobs report
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Mortgage interest rates last week moved to the highest level since early May, and that pushed mortgage demand lower for the second straight week. Total mortgage application volume fell 5.2% last week, compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted index. Mortgage applications to purchase a home fell 4% for the week and were 16% lower than the same week a year ago. Buyers are not only contending with higher interest rates. Mortgage rates ended last week with a sharp drop on Friday and then continued to slide this week.

Persons: –, Mike Fratantoni, Fratantoni, Matthew Graham of, Graham Organizations: Mortgage, MBA's, Government, Matthew Graham of Mortgage News Locations: Austin , Texas

☆ Khosla Ventures backs weather balloon startup that uses AI to upend forecasts
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-03 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Windborne uses a new type of weather balloon, for example. Windborne's balloons can fly for weeks, as opposed to today's government-launched weather balloons which stay aloft for just a few hours and can't reach remote locations. The world currently lacks weather data for 85% of the atmosphere, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Windborne just closed a $15 million round with lead investor Khosla Ventures. In addition to Khosla Ventures, Windborne is backed by Footwork VC, Pear VC, Convective Capital, Ubiquity Ventures and Susa Ventures.

Persons: John Dean, Dean, Sven Strohband, Windborne Organizations: National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, Investors, Google, World Meteorological Organization, Khosla Ventures, Weather Company, Economic, Windborne, Susa Ventures Locations: California, Susa

☆ Pending home sales in April slump to the lowest level since the start of the pandemic
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

According to a report by the National Association of Realtors, pending home sales fell 1.5 percent in October to their lowest level in 20 years. These so-called pending sales are a forward-looking indicator of closed sales one-to-two months later. Pending sales were 7.4% lower than in April of last year. Because the count is based on signed contracts, it shows how buyers are reacting to mortgage rates in real time. With home prices still climbing and supply very low, leading to increased competition, that jump in rates had a huge effect on sales.

Persons: Justin Sullivan, Lawrence Yun, Yun, Hannah Jones Organizations: National Association of Realtors, Mortgage News, NAR, West, Realtor.com Locations: CALIFORNIA, San Anselmo , California, Midwest, Redfin

☆ Weekly mortgage demand drops to three-month low, as rates begin climbing again
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

After a brief pullback during much of May, mortgage rates began rising again last week. That had an immediate impact on what had been several weeks of strengthening mortgage demand. As a result, total mortgage application volume fell 5.7% last week compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted index. "Borrowers remain sensitive to small increases in rates, impacting the refinance market and keeping purchase applications below last year's levels. Mortgage rates jumped sharply to start this week, rising 12 basis points just on Tuesday, according to a separate survey from Mortgage News Daily.

Persons: Joel Kan, Kan, Neel Kashkari Organizations: Mortgage, Mortgage News, Minneapolis Federal, CNBC Locations: Austin , Texas

☆ Sales of newly built homes tank in April, as prices and interest rates rise
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Sales of newly built homes dropped 4.7% in April compared with March, and dropped a larger 7.7% from the prior year, the U.S. Census said Thursday. Higher mortgage rates are clearly hampering sales. Some of that is due to the mix of homes selling, which is mostly on the higher end of the market. Those buyers are not as influenced by mortgage rates, as they often use all cash. The big production builders have been buying down mortgage rates to help boost sales, but they are able to do that because of their size.

Persons: Peter Boockvar, Robert Dietz, NAHB's Organizations: Spring Barbera Homes, Builders, Toll Brothers, Bleakley Financial, CNBC, National Association of Home Builders, Wells Fargo . Locations: Loudonville , New York, U.S, Horton, Wells Fargo

☆ Home sales slipped unexpectedly in April, despite big gains in supply
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Sales of homes priced below $100,000 fell 7.1% year over year, while sales of those priced over $1 million jumped 40%. The median price of an existing home sold in April was $407,600, an increase of 5.7% year over year. The median price in the Northeast was $458,500, up 8.5% year over year. The median price in the West was $629,600, up 9.3% from April 2023. Correction: The supply of homes priced at more than $1 million was up 34% year over year.

Persons: Lawrence Yun, Yun Organizations: National Association of Realtors, Realtors Locations: Issaquah Highlands, Issaquah , Washington, US, Midwest, West

☆ Weekly mortgage refinance demand revives as interest rates fall to 7-week low
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Mortgage interest rates fell for the third straight week last week, sparking increased demand for refinances. Total mortgage application volume rose 1.9% compared to the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted index. Applications to refinance a home loan rose 7% for the week and were 21% higher than the same week one year ago. Rates last week were just 32 basis points higher than they were a year ago, and that gap has been shrinking. While higher mortgage rates certainly hurt affordability, today's buyers are still facing very low supply and stiff competition, which fuels bidding wars.

Persons: Joel Kan, Matthew Graham Organizations: Mortgage, Federal Reserve, Mortgage News Locations: Hawthorn Woods , Illinois

☆ Here's where rents are rising — and where they're falling
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Multifamily rents in April were 0.8% lower than they were in the same month last year, according to Apartment List. Apartment rents did rise for the third straight month, but the growth, at 0.5%, is very small. Single-family rents are much stronger, up 3.4% in March year over year, according to a new report from CoreLogic. "U.S. single-family rent growth strengthened overall in March, though some weaknesses are revealed in the latest numbers," said Molly Boesel, principal economist for CoreLogic. Of the nation's 20 largest cities, Seattle saw the highest year-over-year increase in single-family rents at 6.3%, followed by New York at 5.3% and Boston at 5.2%.

Persons: Molly Boesel, Boesel Organizations: National Association of Home Builders, CoreLogic, Boston Locations: Austin , Texas, Seattle, New York, Miami, New Orleans, townhomes, Florida, Austin

☆ Mortgage demand from homebuyers drops even as interest rates pull back to April lows
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Mortgage rates last week dropped to the lowest level since April, but buyers are still struggling to afford today's housing market. As a result, mortgage demand flattened at a weak pace. "While the downward move in rates benefits prospective homebuyers, mortgage rates are still much higher than they were a year ago, while for-sale inventory remains tight," Kan added. Another read on inflation will influence the next move from the Federal Reserve on interest rates. "The difference between a result of 0.2 or 0.4 is surprisingly massive when it comes to the world of interest rates.

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

☆ Weekly mortgage refinance demand rose 5% after a slight dip in mortgage rates
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Mortgage rates are significantly higher than they were at the start of this year, but they pulled back slightly last week after several weeks of straight increases. "First-time homebuyers account for roughly half of purchase loans, and the government lending programs are an important source of financing for these homebuyers. The dip in rates caused refinance demand to increase 5% for the week, although it was still 6% lower than the year-earlier week. Applications for a mortgage to purchase a home rose 2% for the week but were still 17% lower than the same week a year earlier. Mortgage rates fell further to start this week.

Persons: Mike Fratantoni, MBA's, Fratantoni Organizations: Federal Reserve's, Federal Housing Administration Locations: Manhattan, New York City

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