WASHINGTON — Mortgage applications increased 7.9% from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending April.
The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, increased 7.9% on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the Index increased 9% compared with the previous week. The Refinance Index increased 6% from the previous week and was 52% higher than the same week one year ago. The seasonally adjusted Purchase Index increased 10% from one week earlier. The unadjusted Purchase Index increased 12% compared with the previous week and was 14% higher than the same week one year ago.
“Mortgage rates declined last week as financial markets responded positively to the Middle East ceasefire and the lower trend in oil prices, with the 30-year fixed rate decreasing to 6.35%,” said Mike Fratantoni, MBA’s SVP and chief economist. “Refinance application volume increased by 6%, while purchase application volume increased an even stronger 10% and was up 14% compared to last year’s pace. This increase was led by conventional purchase loans up 11% over the week. Despite the geopolitical uncertainty, housing demand is being supported by a still resilient job market, and homebuyers are experiencing a buyer’s market in most of the country given the higher levels of inventory relative to last year.”
The refinance share of mortgage activity decreased to 44.2% of total applications from 45.5% the previous week. The adjustable-rate mortgage share of activity decreased to 8.0% of total applications.
FHA Share
The FHA share of total applications remained unchanged at 18.2% from the week prior. The VA share of total applications decreased to 15.0% from 15.7% the week prior. The USDA share of total applications remained unchanged at 0.5% from the week prior.
The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($832,750 or less) decreased to 6.35% from 6.42%, with points decreasing to 0.61 from 0.62 (including the origination fee) for 80% loan-to-value ratio (LTV) loans. The effective rate decreased from last week.
The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with jumbo loan balances (greater than $832,750) decreased to 6.43% from 6.48%, with points decreasing to 0.45 from 0.46 (including the origination fee) for 80% LTV loans. The effective rate decreased from last week.
The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages backed by the FHA decreased to 6.10% from 6.14%, with points decreasing to 0.71 from 0.73 (including the origination fee) for 80% LTV loans. The effective rate decreased from last week.
The average contract interest rate for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages decreased to 5.75% from 5.85%, with points decreasing to 0.69 from 0.73 (including the origination fee) for 80% LTV loans. The effective rate decreased from last week.
The average contract interest rate for 5/1 ARMs decreased to 5.48% from 5.63%, with points increasing to 0.89 from 0.46 (including the origination fee) for 80% LTV loans. The effective rate increased from last week.