http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/news MND NewsWire : Housing and Economic News https://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/news/04102026-mortgage-applications-mba Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:30:00 GMT 69d93610d3650058e5a24b34 Matthew Graham Mortgage applications dipped again last week, though the pace of decline slowed considerably. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reported a 0.8% decrease on a seasonally adjusted basis for the week ending April 3. Refinance activity continued to weaken, with the Refinance Index falling 3% from the previous week and now sitting 4% below year-ago levels. The slowdown reflects a sharp drop in borrower incentive following the recent run-up in rates. Purchase activity showed modest resilience, with the seasonally adjusted Purchase Index rising 1% from the prior week. However, demand remains softer overall, with purchase applications down 7% compared to the same time last year—the first annual decline since early 2025. MBA’s Joel Kan said “higher mortgage rates and continued economic uncertainty weighed down on mortgage applications again last week,” adding that refinance demand has dropped to its lowest level since December 2025. He also pointed out that some segments of the market are holding up better, particularly FHA and ARM loans, which continue to benefit from relatively lower rates and improving housing inventory in certain markets. Application composition shifted slightly, with refinance share decreasing to 44.3% from 45.3% the prior week. ARM share increased to 8.6% . FHA share edged down to 19.3% , while VA share held steady at 16.1% and USDA share remained unchanged at 0.5% . Mortgage News Daily 0 http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/rss/news https://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/news/04012026-mortgage-applications-mba Wed, 01 Apr 2026 18:58:00 GMT 69cd6d093e6a6da747a985a9 Matthew Graham Mortgage applications fell  for the third consecutive week amid an increasingly volatile rate environment. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reported a decrease of 10.4% on a seasonally adjusted basis for the week ending March 27. The Refinance Index fell 17% from the previous week, but remains 33% higher than the same week one year ago. Purchase activity also declined, with the seasonally adjusted Purchase Index dropping 3% , just 1% above year-ago levels. MBA’s Mike Fratantoni notes "higher rates  are being offset somewhat by the buyer’s market in many parts of the country – there are more homes for sale than buyers have seen in some time. Moreover, purchase applications for FHA and VA loans continue to hold up better than those for conventional buyers.  However, the shocks of the jump in rates and the increase in overall economic uncertainty are likely having an impact on buyer confidence.” Once again, application activity shifted further away from refinances. The refinance share of total applications decreased to 45.3% from 49.6% the prior week, while ARM share edged down to 8.0% . FHA share decreased slightly to 19.5% , VA share increased to 16.1% , and USDA share held steady at 0.5% . Mortgage Rate Summary: Mortgage News Daily 0 http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/rss/news https://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/news/03272026-mortgage-applications-mba Fri, 27 Mar 2026 17:44:00 GMT 69c6c43315060ab99e23ee71 Matthew Graham Mortgage application activity declined for the second consecutive week as rising interest rates continued to weigh on demand. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reported a decrease of 10.5% on a seasonally adjusted basis for the week ending March 20. Both major components moved lower. The Refinance Index fell 15% from the previous week, though it remained 52% higher than the same week one year ago.  Purchase activity also softened, with the seasonally adjusted Purchase Index declining 5% and running 5% above year-ago levels. According to MBA’s Joel Kan, persistently elevated Treasury yields—driven in part by higher oil prices and inflation concerns—pushed mortgage rates higher across the board. The average 30-year fixed rate climbed to its highest level since October 2025, further eroding refinance incentives and dampening purchase demand. The composition of activity shifted further away from refinances. The refinance share of total applications decreased to 49.6% from 52.3% the prior week, while ARM share increased slightly to 8.1% . FHA share rose to 19.7% , VA share declined to 15.9% , and USDA share edged up to 0.5% . Mortgage Rate Summary: 30yr Fixed: 6.43% (from 6.30%) | Points: 0.65 (from 0.63) 15yr Fixed: 5.83% (from 5.66%) | Points: 0.80 (from 0.73) Jumbo 30yr: 6.45% (from 6.39%) | Points: 0.56 (from 0.34) FHA: 6.15% (from 6.08%) | Points: 0.75 (from 0.70) 5/1 ARM: 5.75% (from 5.65%) | Points: 0.68 (from 0.67) Mortgage News Daily 0 http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/rss/news https://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/news/03202026-new-home-sales Fri, 20 Mar 2026 18:15:00 GMT 69bd8fb53b4ad77c0817c2e1 Matthew Graham New home sales took a notable step back in January, reversing much of the prior month’s strength and highlighting the volatility that often defines this data series. The Census Bureau reported a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 587,000 , down sharply from December’s 712,000 and 11.3% lower than January 2025. For-sale inventory moved slightly higher to 476,000 , up 0.4% from December but still 4.0% below year-ago levels. At the current sales pace, months’ supply jumped to 9.7 months , up from 8.0 months in December and 9.0 months one year ago. The increase reflects the combination of softer demand and relatively steady inventory levels. Prices declined on both a monthly and annual basis. The median sales price fell to $400,500 (-4.5% MoM; -6.8% YoY), while the average price dropped to $499,500 (-5.9% MoM; -3.6% YoY). The pullback suggests a shift in the mix of homes sold, with less upward pressure from higher-priced transactions. Sales (MoM): -17.6% Sales (YoY): -11.3% Inventory (YoY): -4.0% Months’ Supply: 9.7 (up from 8.0 prior month; 9.0 YoY) Mortgage News Daily 0 http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/rss/news https://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/news/03202026-mortgage-applications-mba Fri, 20 Mar 2026 18:08:00 GMT 69bd8e37c0356a5aa1d224e3 Matthew Graham NOTE: the rates discussed in this article are from MBA's weekly survey and pertain to last week.  This week's rates have already moved significantly higher according to our daily data. Mortgage application activity fell sharply last week as rising rates weighed on demand. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reported a decrease of 10.9% on a seasonally adjusted basis for the week ending March 13. The decline was driven primarily by refinance activity. The Refinance Index dropped 19% from the previous week, though it remained 69% higher than the same week one year ago. MBA noted that conventional refinance applications saw the steepest pullback, as rates moved notably higher over the past two weeks. Purchase demand proved more resilient. The seasonally adjusted Purchase Index increased 1% from one week earlier and was 12% higher than the same week one year ago. Gains in FHA and VA purchase activity helped offset flat conventional demand, with improving inventory and slower home price growth continuing to support year-over-year strength. According to Joel Kan, MBA’s Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist, mortgage rates moved higher alongside Treasury yields, driven in part by elevated oil prices and broader inflation concerns tied to geopolitical developments. The average 30-year conforming mortgage rate rose to its highest level since December 2025. Mortgage News Daily 0 http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/rss/news https://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/news/03202026-builder-confidence-nahb-hmi Fri, 20 Mar 2026 18:05:00 GMT 69bd8cd33b4ad77c0817c2de Matthew Graham Builder confidence ticked slightly higher in March according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), though sentiment remains subdued as affordability concerns continue to weigh on the single-family market. The headline index rose one point to 38 , following a small upward revision to February’s reading. While the increase marks a modest improvement, builder sentiment remains well below the breakeven level of 50 that separates positive from negative market conditions. The underlying components all posted gains during the month. The index measuring current sales conditions increased one point to 42 , while the gauge tracking prospective buyer traffic rose three points to 25 . The index measuring future sales expectations climbed two points to 49 , moving closer to the neutral threshold. “Affordability for buyers and builders remains a top concern,” said NAHB Chairman Bill Owens. He noted that many prospective buyers remain on the sidelines awaiting lower interest rates and greater economic clarity, while builders continue to grapple with elevated land, labor, and construction costs. NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz echoed those concerns, pointing to ongoing affordability challenges and uncertainty surrounding global events and energy prices as potential headwinds for the housing market. At the same time, he noted that recent efforts to reduce regulatory burdens on homebuilding could help improve long-term housing supply. Mortgage News Daily 0 http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/rss/news https://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/news/03132026-mortgage-applications-mba Fri, 13 Mar 2026 17:16:00 GMT 69b4476e885c832f9a974b50 Matthew Graham Mortgage application activity continued to move higher last week, though the pace slowed considerably as financial markets turned volatile and mortgage rates moved back up from their recent lows. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reported an increase of 3.2% on a seasonally adjusted basis for the week ending March 6. This week it was purchase demand doing the heavy lifting. The seasonally adjusted Purchase Index increased 7.8% from one week earlier and was 11% higher than the same week one year ago. MBA noted that purchase activity continues to track ahead of last year’s pace as improving inventory levels support more transactions. Refinance activity was largely flat by comparison. The Refinance Index edged just 0.5% higher from the previous week but still remained 81% higher than the same week one year ago. According to MBA Chief Economist Mike Fratantoni, markets were unsettled by geopolitical developments during the week, pushing longer-term interest rates higher. The average 30-year conforming mortgage rate rose back above 6% after briefly dipping below that threshold in recent weeks. The composition of activity shifted slightly away from refinances. The refinance share of total applications decreased to 57.8% from 59.8% the prior week, while ARM share increased to 8.9% . FHA share rose to 17.1% , VA share declined to 16.1% , and USDA share remained unchanged at 0.4% . Mortgage News Daily 0 http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/rss/news https://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/news/03132026-existing-home-sales-nar-inventory-prices-appr Fri, 13 Mar 2026 17:13:00 GMT 69b4464e002ff42e2820d997 Matthew Graham Existing-home sales rebounded modestly in February, recovering some ground after January’s sharp pullback, while improving affordability and slowly expanding inventory helped support buyer activity.Sales rose 1.7% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.09 million .  “Housing affordability is improving, and consumers are responding,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. The group’s Housing Affordability Index rose to 117.6 in February, the highest reading since March 2022 and the eighth consecutive monthly improvement. Yun noted that wage growth is now outpacing home-price growth by nearly four percentage points, while mortgage rates are also lower than a year ago. Inventory continued to expand, though at a measured pace. Total housing inventory increased to 1.29 million units , up 2.4% from January and 4.9% higher than a year earlier. That equates to a 3.8-month supply of homes at the current sales pace. Price growth remained subdued but positive. The median existing-home price for all housing types rose to $398,000 , a modest 0.3% increase from a year ago and the 32nd consecutive month of annual gains. Regional Breakdown (Sales and Prices, February 2026) Region Sales (annual rate) MoM Change Median Price YoY Change Northeast 470k -6.0% $479,800 +3.3% Midwest 940k +1.1% $302,100 +2.3% South 1.89m +1.6% $356,800 +0.2% West 790k +8.2% $603,100 -1.9% Mortgage News Daily 0 http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/rss/news https://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/news/03062026-mortgage-applications-mba Fri, 06 Mar 2026 20:00:00 GMT 69ab3504ba2649f169fd90f0 Matthew Graham Mortgage application activity surged last week in response to headlines of mortgage rates stably holding multi-year lows. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reported an increase of 11.0% on a seasonally adjusted basis for the week ending February 27. Refi applications once again led the charge, jumping 14.3% from the previous week and 109% higher vs the same week one year ago. Conventional refi apps rose 20% for the week, marking the fourth consecutive weekly increase and the strongest pace since 2022. Purchase demand also strengthened. The seasonally adjusted Purchase Index increased 6.1% from one week earlier and was 10% higher than the same week one year ago. Lower rates and a gradual improvement in housing inventory continue to support buyer activity as the spring market approaches. The composition of activity shifted further toward refinances. The refinance share of total applications increased to 59.8% from 58.6% the prior week, while ARM share rose to 8.8% . FHA share decreased to 15.8% , VA share declined to 17.1% , and USDA share remained unchanged at 0.4% . Notably, the present week has seen a significant shift in rates with the average lender jumping back to early February levels.  [thirtyyearmortgagerates] Mortgage News Daily 0 http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/rss/news https://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/news/02272026-mortgage-applications-mba Fri, 27 Feb 2026 18:27:00 GMT 69a1e3b8aa101df7f1cf29ae Matthew Graham Mortgage application activity edged ever-so-slightly higher last week, with the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reporting an increase of 0.4% on a seasonally adjusted basis for the week ending February 20. Refi applications continue to do the heavy lifting. The Refinance Index increased 4% from the previous week and was 150% higher than the same week one year ago. Conventional refinance applications rose 5% for the week, while VA refinances jumped 26%, as rates declined to their lowest levels since September 2022. Notably, rates have moved even lower this week and have held these new multi-year lows in very stable fashion. If history is any guide, this should lead to an even higher refi index next week. Purchase demand moved lower, falling 5% on a seasonally adjusted basis, though activity remains 12% higher than the same week one year ago.  Joel Kan, MBA’s Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist, attributed the modest increase in overall activity to declining Treasury yields, which helped push the 30-year fixed rate to its lowest level in several months. The composition of activity shifted further toward refinances. The refinance share of total applications increased to 58.6% from 57.4% the prior week, while ARM share held steady at 8.2% . FHA share decreased to 16.1% , VA share rose to 18.7% , and USDA share remained unchanged at 0.4% . Mortgage News Daily 0 http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/rss/news