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☆ Adjustable-rate mortgage demand jumps nearly 10% as buyers struggle to afford housing market
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

As mortgage rates hover near the highest level in more than two decades, homebuyers are turning to riskier mortgage products to help them get into a home. The ARM share of mortgage applications is now at the highest level in nearly a year. Applications for a mortgage to purchase a home dropped 1% for the week and were 22% lower year over year. Purchase applications decreased to their lowest level since 1995 and refinance applications to the lowest level since January 2023," Kan added. Markets now await news from the Federal Reserve on Wednesday to see if there will be any relief from higher interest rates.

Persons: Joel Kan, Kan Organizations: Mortgage, Association, ARM, Federal Reserve

☆ Brace for 8% mortgage rates to drag the US housing market into a 1980s-style recession, Wells Fargo warns
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( George Glover | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The US housing market looks like it's headed for a recession, Wells Fargo has warned. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Federal Reserve's aggressive interest-rate hikes could be about to trigger a housing-market recession that echoes the slowdown of the 1980s, Wells Fargo has warned. "Although mortgage rates may gradually descend once the Federal Reserve begins to ease monetary policy, financing costs are likely to remain elevated relative to recent norms," they added. Please Lower Interest Rates." AdvertisementAdvertisement"The plea for assistance from housing industry participants, both in the early 1980s and more recently, illustrates the severe impact higher interest rates can have on the residential sector," Dougherty and Barley wrote.

Persons: Wells Fargo, —, Charlie Dougherty, Patrick Barley, Freddie Mac, Jackson, Paul Volcker, National Association of Homebuilders, Jerome Powell, Dougherty, Barley Organizations: Service, Federal, Fed, Wells, National Association of Realtors, Mortgage Bankers Association, National Association of Locations: Redfin

☆ US second home sales slide in pandemic-era vacation hot spots
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Amina Niasse | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

And as secondary home activity dwindles, some smaller housing-related businesses in leisure hot spots say they are feeling the pinch as well. “Services for existing rentals has grown, but services for larger ticket remodeling work on new vacation rentals has stopped," said Tim Allen, owner of Kopa Home Services, based in Flagstaff, Arizona. Allen has had to decrease unit prices in his separate vacation rental business, Local Vacation Team, to keep occupancy figures above market. For Flagstaff, that figure is 14%, according to data from AirDNA, a short-term rental data provider. "With the acceleration of the creation of vacation rentals during the pandemic, now if visitors are at 1,000, there are 3,000 rentals available,” he said.

Persons: Kevin Lamarque, ”, Chuck Tuttle, they’re, ” Tuttle, Tuttle, Tim Allen, Jessica Lautz, Allen, “, Amina Niasse, Daniel Burns, Bill Berkrot Organizations: REUTERS, National Association of Realtors, William, Hilton, Lake Havasu, Federal Reserve, Mortgage Bankers Association, realtors, “ Services, Kopa Home Services, NAR, Thomson Locations: Island , South Carolina, U.S, Lake Havasu City , Arizona, William Raveis, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Lake, Lake Havasu City, Flagstaff , Arizona, Flagstaff, AirDNA

Average 30-year mortgage rates remain at their highest levels since 2000, but they could start falling soon as inflation decelerates. If you're thinking about buying soon but can't stomach current mortgage rates, you might have more luck closer to the end of 2024. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments. But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control. Sky high mortgage rates have pushed many hopeful buyers out of the market, slowing homebuying demand and putting downward pressure on home prices.

Persons: Fannie Mae Organizations: of Commerce, Zillow, Federal Reserve, Mortgage, Association, Sky, ARM Locations: Chevron

The still-heated economy and uncertainty over whether it will cool sufficiently has pushed mortgage rates up in recent weeks. Average 30-year mortgage rates are closer to 8% than they've been in 23 years, reaching 7.79% this week, according to Freddie Mac. Average 15-year mortgage rates are also extremely high, and have surpassed 7% for the first time since December 2000. But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

Persons: they've, Freddie Mac, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's, you'll, Fannie Mae Organizations: Federal, Zillow, Federal Reserve, Fed, Mortgage, Association, Sky Locations: Chevron

☆ U.S mortgage rates soar to highest in more than 23 years
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A "For Rent, For Sale" sign is seen outside of a home in Washington, U.S., July 7, 2022. The 7.9% average contract rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage during the week ended Oct. 20 was up 20 basis points from the prior week, the Mortgage Bankers Association said. "Mortgage activity continued to stall, with applications dipping to the slowest weekly pace since 1995," MBA vice president and deputy chief economist Joel Kan said. "These higher mortgage rates are keeping prospective homebuyers out of the market and continue to suppress refinance activity." The 30-year fixed rate mortgage is up 81 basis points since then, tracking a similar rise in the yield on the 10-year Treasury note, the main benchmark for longer-term U.S. borrowing rates.

Persons: Sarah Silbiger, Joel Kan, Ann Saphir, Toby Chopra Organizations: REUTERS, Mortgage Bankers Association, Federal Reserve, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, U.S

☆ Adjustable-rate mortgage demand hits highest level in nearly a year as interest rates continue to climb
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Mortgage demand has essentially stalled at the slowest pace since 1995 as mortgage interest rates continue to rise. Total application volume dropped 1% last week compared to the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted index. The adjustable-rate mortgage share of total demand hit 9.5%, the highest level in nearly a year. That annual comparison is shrinking because refinancing crashed just over a year ago, when mortgage rates first started to rise sharply. Buyers right now are not only contending with higher mortgage rates, but also with bare minimum supply.

Persons: Joel Kan, Refinances Organizations: Mortgage, CNBC Locations: New York City

Average 30-year mortgage rates neared 8% last week, and they could remain elevated for a while longer. In its latest forecast, the Mortgage Bankers Association predicted that mortgage rates will fall to 6.6% in the first half of 2024 and reach 6.1% by the end of next year. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments. 30-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesLast week, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 7.63%, according to Freddie Mac. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesAverage 15-year mortgage rates were 6.92% last week, according to Freddie Mac data.

Persons: Freddie Mac, it's Organizations: Mortgage Bankers Association, Zillow Locations: Chevron

Inflation and hikes from the Federal Reserve have pushed mortgage rates up to record highs over the past year and a half. Mortgage rates will fall eventually, but there's still a decent amount of uncertainty in the economy. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage Refinance Rates TodayMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments. But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control.

Persons: there's, decelerate, Fannie Mae Organizations: Federal Reserve, Zillow, Mortgage, Association, Sky, ARM Locations: Chevron

Mortgage rates spiked dramatically this week, though they've calmed a bit over the past couple of days. Average 30-year mortgage rates are holding steady below 8%, but it's unclear if they could climb further and finally spike above this long-feared milestone. If it is, we could see mortgage rates recede a bit. But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

Persons: they've, you'll, Fannie Mae Organizations: Zillow, Federal Reserve, Fed, Mortgage, Association, Sky Locations: Chevron

☆ US existing home sales drop to 13-year low in September
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Sarah Silbiger/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 19 (Reuters) - U.S. existing home sales dropped to a 13-year low in September as surging mortgage rates and tight supply combined to reduce affordability for many first-time buyers. Existing home sales fell 2.0% last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.96 million units, the lowest level since October 2010, the National Association of Realtors said on Thursday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast home sales slipping to a rate of 3.89 million units. "Higher mortgage rates are really hampering activity." At September's sales pace, it would take 3.4 months to exhaust the current inventory of existing homes, up from 3.2 months a year ago.

Persons: Sarah Silbiger, Lawrence Yun, Lucia Mutikani, Andrea Ricci Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, National Association of Realtors, Reuters, Mortgage, Association, Federal Reserve, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Midwest, West, U.S

☆ Morning Bid: To 5% and beyond, bond yields soar
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The company earnings picture, meantime, was mixed to sour over the past 24 hours in both the U.S. and Europe. Despite decent demand at a typically awkward 20-year bond auction on Wednesday, yields continued to spiral higher overnight and ahead of Fed Chair Jerome Powell's key speech later on Thursday. The upshot of all factors has seen Treasury yields climb ever higher through the night - with two-year and 20-year yields , now both above 5.25%, the latter at a record high and the former the highest since 2006. Ten and five-year tenors also saw yields soar to within a hair's breadth of 5% early on Thursday too. The ructions in the bond market and incoming earnings saw Wall St indexes (.SPX), (.NDX) hit their lowest in 10 days on Wednesday and futures were in the red again ahead of the open today.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Mike Dolan, Jerome Powell's, Republican Jim Jordan, Blackstone, Philip Morris, Jerome Powell, Philip Jefferson, Michael Barr, Lorie Logan, Austan Goolsbee, Raphael Bostic, Patrick Harker, Christina Fincher Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Federal Reserve, U.S, Netflix, Republican, Bank of Japan, Mortgage Bankers Association, HK, Fifth Third Bancorp, Philip Morris , Union Pacific, CSX, Truist Financial, American Airlines, Alaska Air, Philadelphia Fed, U.S . Federal, Dallas, Chicago Fed, Atlanta Fed, Treasury, Housing, Reuters, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Washington, Venezuela, Europe, Frankfurt, Freeport, McMoRan, China

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The cost of financing a home surged again this week with the average long-term U.S. mortgage rate at its highest level since December 2000. The average rate on the benchmark 30-year home loan rose to 7.63% from 7.57% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. The average rate rose to 6.92% from 6.89% last week. The average rate on a 30-year mortgage is now more than double what it was two years ago, when it was just 3.09%. The weekly average rate on a 30-year mortgage has remained above 7% since mid-August and is now at the highest level since Dec. 1, 2000, when it averaged 7.65%.

Persons: Freddie Mac, ”, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s, Bob Broeksmit Organizations: ANGELES, “, Mortgage, Association, ”, Treasury, U.S Locations: U.S

☆ September home sales drop to the lowest level since the foreclosure crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

This is the slowest sales pace since October 2010, during the Great Recession, when the market was in the midst of a foreclosure crisis. As a comparison, just two years ago, when mortgage rates hovered around 3%, home sales were running at a 6.6 million pace. Adding to higher mortgage rates, the median price of a home sold in September was $394,300, up 2.8% year over year. That's because there is more supply at the higher price points and because higher-end buyers can often use cash. Mortgage demand is now at the lowest level since 1995, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Persons: Lawrence Yun, Danielle Hale Organizations: National Association of Realtors, Mortgage News, Federal, Mortgage, Association

High mortgage rates have sparked a renewed interest in adjustable-rate mortgages as borrowers try to carve out affordability in an increasingly unaffordable market. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's interest rates will affect your monthly payments. 30-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesLast week's average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 7.57%, according to Freddie Mac. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesAverage 15-year mortgage rates were 6.89% last week, according to Freddie Mac data. Mortgage rates increased dramatically in 2022 and have been volatile so far in 2023, but they're expected to trend down later this year.

Persons: Joel Kan, you'll, Freddie Mac Organizations: Mortgage Bankers Association, ARM, Zillow, Federal Reserve Locations: Chevron

☆ US single-family starts rise; soaring mortgage rates a challenge
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

In addition, the jump in housing starts partially recouped the decline in August. The rebound in homebuilding probably reflected permits approved several months ago before mortgage rates broke above 7%. Single-family housing starts, which account for the bulk of homebuilding, increased 3.2% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 963,000 units last month, the Commerce Department said. Single-family starts rose in the Midwest, West and the densely populated South, but plunged 19.0% in the Northeast. Though permits are a leading indicator, economists cautioned against being too optimistic about homebuilding prospects, citing the soaring mortgage rates and souring builder sentiment.

Persons: Sarah Silbiger, homebuilding, homebuilders, Conrad DeQuadros, Christopher Rupkey, Colin Johanson, Lucia Mutikani, Dan Burns, Chizu Nomiyama, Andrea Ricci Organizations: REUTERS, Brean, Commerce Department, Data, Mortgage Bankers Association, Federal Reserve, Treasury, Reuters, Realtors, Barclays, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, WASHINGTON, homebuilding, New York, Midwest, West, Northeast, U.S

☆ U.S. mortgage application flow plunges to lowest since 1995
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Dan Burns | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Mortgage Bankers Association's weekly index of mortgage application activity fell 6.9% in the week ended Oct. 13 to 166.9, the lowest since May 1995. Applications for loans to buy a home fell 5.6% to the lowest since February 1995 and applications to refinance an existing mortgage tumbled 9.9% to the lowest since January. Residential borrowing costs have risen roughly by half a percentage point since the beginning of September. Barring an about-face in the bond market that brings yields lower, borrowing costs look unlikely to pull back in the near term. In addition to high borrowing costs, sales are being restrained by very low inventory of homes on the market.

Persons: Sarah Silbiger, they've, Dan Burns, Chizu Organizations: REUTERS, Mortgage Bankers, Federal Reserve, National Association of Realtors, Reuters, ARM, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S

☆ Mortgage demand falls to the lowest level since 1995 as interest rates near 8%
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Mortgage rates last week rose for the sixth straight week, causing demand for home loans to drop to the lowest level since 1995. Total application volume fell 6.9% compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted index. Applications for a mortgage to purchase a home dropped 6% week to week and were 21% lower than the same week one year ago. ARMs offer lower rates and can be fixed for up to 10 years before the rate resets. Mortgage rates moved even higher to start this week, with the 30-year fixed hitting 7.92% on Tuesday, according to Mortgage News Daily.

Persons: Joel Kan Organizations: Lennar Corporation, Mortgage, Mortgage News, CNBC Locations: Morristown, Morristown , New Jersey

☆ The 30-year fixed mortgage rate just hit 8% for the first time since 2000 as Treasury yields soar
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The average rate on the popular 30-year fixed mortgage rate hit 8% Wednesday morning, according to Mortgage News Daily. Mortgage rates follow loosely the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury . Rates rose sharply this week and last week, as investors digest more reads on the economy. On Wednesday, it was housing starts, which rose in September, though not as much as expected, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. These higher rates have caused mortgage demand to plummet, as applications fell nearly 7% last week from the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Persons: Matthew Graham, Horton Organizations: Mortgage News, Treasury, . Census, Federal, Mortgage, Association, CNBC

☆ The interest rate on the most popular American home loan hits 8% for the first time since 2000
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Phil Rosen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Rates on the 30-year fixed mortgage hit 8% on Wednesday, per Mortgage News Daily. It's the first time the interest rate on the most popular US home loan hit that mark since mid-2000. AdvertisementAdvertisementFor the first time since 2000, the rate on the typical 30-year fixed mortgage hit 8% on Wednesday, according to Mortgage News Daily. Mortgage rates are a critical input for the affordability equation for prospective home buyers, and in previous eras of rising rates, home prices have declined as borrowing costs increase. The rise in rates has sent mortgage applications tumbling to their lowest level in almost three decades, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Persons: Bond, — Organizations: Mortgage, Service, Mortgage News, Treasury, Association, National Association of Realtors

☆ CHART OF THE DAY: Here's the simple reason why home prices won't fall anytime soon
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Matthew Fox | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A steady decline in home inventory since 2006 is helping push home prices consistently higher. "Perhaps the housing market is not as interest rate-sensitive now as it historically has been," LPL Financial said. AdvertisementAdvertisementOur Chart of the Day is from LPL Financial, which highlights the ongoing relationship between home prices and existing home inventory. The chart shows that the resilient climb in home prices comes as existing home inventory has been steadily falling. "Perhaps the housing market is not as interest rate-sensitive now as it historically has been."

Persons: —, Patrick Harker, Harker, Jeffrey Roach, Roach Organizations: Service, LPL, Mortgage, Association

☆ Adjustable-rate mortgages are making a comeback
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Meanwhile, the average rate for a kind of adjustable rate mortgage — a 5/1 ARM — dropped to 6.33% from 6.49%. (Freddie Mac, which provides an average that CNN covers weekly, does not track interest rates for adjustable rate mortgages). When Treasury yields go up, so do mortgage rates; when they go down, mortgage rates tend to follow. Fixed rate vs ARMWhile the overwhelming share of loans are still fixed-rate mortgages, ARMs are becoming more attractive in the current higher-rate environment. Generally, homeowners with higher mortgage rates will pay more in interest rather than principal for a longer time than those with lower interest rates.

Persons: —, Freddie Mac, ”, Bob Broeksmit, Melissa Cohn, Cohn, National Association of Home Builders —, ” Cohn, Kaylin Dillon, Jay Zigmont, ’ ” Zigmont, you’re Organizations: DC CNN, Mortgage, Association, CNN, “, ARM, Fed, Federal Reserve, William, Treasury, Mortgage Bankers Association, National Association of Realtors, National Association of Home Builders, Childfree Locations: Washington, Israel, Kansas, Mississippi

☆ Fed's Harker says high interest rates closing off housing for new buyers
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Michael S. Derby | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Philadelphia Federal Reserve President Patrick Harker stands behind the Jackson Lake Lodge in Jackson Hole, where the Kansas City Fed holds its annual economic symposium, in Wyoming, U.S. August 24, 2023. REUTERS/Ann Saphir/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNEW YORK, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Philadelphia Federal Reserve President Patrick Harker said on Monday the current level of interest rates has nearly killed off access to the housing market for those looking to get in for the first time. In the text of a speech to the Mortgage Bankers Association's annual convention, Harker said when it comes to housing, based on his interactions in his district, "the climate could be crystallized in seven words, which one of those contacts said to me recently: 'There are no first-time home buyers.'" Harker explained that high interest rates have hit the housing sector by boosting costs and contracting inventory because many people no longer wish to sell, while pushing more prospective buyers into newly built homes. Reporting by Michael S. Derby; Editing by Paul SimaoOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Patrick Harker, Ann Saphir, Harker, Michael S, Paul Simao Organizations: Philadelphia Federal, Kansas City Fed, REUTERS, Mortgage, Thomson Locations: Jackson, Wyoming, U.S

Average 30-year mortgage rates are down a bit compared to where they've been in recent weeks. Mortgage Rates TodayMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage Refinance Rates TodayMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments. But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control.

Persons: they've, Fannie Mae Organizations: Zillow, Federal Reserve, Mortgage, Association, Sky, ARM Locations: Chevron

☆ Mortgage originations will surge 19% in 2024 as a recession will force rates down, MBA says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Filip De Mott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

That's because a mild recession will prompt the Fed to ease interest rates, meaning lower mortgage rates. AdvertisementAdvertisementHousing demand will rebound from this year's strained levels, after a mild recession pulls down today's high mortgage rates, the Mortgage Bankers Association predicted. These factors will give the central bank leeway to lower interest rate levels over time, which will bring down elevated mortgage levels, MBA said. Many have remained off the market this year, preferring the cheaper mortgage rates they currently hold. Even with lower mortgage rates, homebuyers can still expect high payments, scarce for-sale properties, and less credit availability.

Persons: —, That's, Mike Fratantoni Organizations: Mortgage Bankers Association, Service, Mortgage

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