According to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Applications Survey, average mortgage rates were down or unchanged across all loan categories last week. Rates for 30-year fixed-rate loans with conforming balances remained unmoved from the week before, while rates for jumbo loans, loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration, and 15-year fixed-rate loans all fell. Joel Kan, an MBA economist, told CNBC mortgage rates were steady mostly because of recent testimony from Fed Chair, Janet Yellen. “Treasury yields were slightly lower last week as testimony from Yellen was perceived to be more dovish than expected, and as the market received data signaling weaker inflation and retail sales for June,” Kan said. “These factors kept the 30-year fixed-contract rate flat over the week.” Flat mortgage rates led to a surge in mortgage activity, though. In fact, refinance activity was up 13 percent from the previous week, while demand for loans to buy homes was up slightly and remains 7 percent higher than at the same time last year. The MBA’s weekly survey has been conducted since 1990 and covers 75 percent of all retail residential mortgage applications. More here.
