Category: Statistics

Mortgages Slow Despite Rate Drop

By Ryan Jackson A drop in mortgage rates did little to slow another decline in mortgage applications for the second straight week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Home loan applications fell as interest borrowing rates on the 30-year fixed rate mortgage decreased to an average of 3.80% on fully executed mortgages. The drop in… Continue reading Mortgages Slow Despite Rate Drop

Foreclosures Sell 32% Under Rest of Market

By Mike Colpitts Foreclosures or bank owned homes sold at an average discount of 32% below similar homes in the same neighborhood during the second quarter of the year, according to RealtyTrac. The price was two percent lower than a year ago. Foreclosure sales accounted for 23% of all U.S. residential sales during the second… Continue reading Foreclosures Sell 32% Under Rest of Market

Pushed by Treasuries, Mortgage Rates Jump

By Mike Colpitts Pushed by higher yields paid for U.S. Treasuries, mortgage rates jumped for the fourth straight week as mixed economic news sent investors scurrying to the bond market for more secure investments. The rate on the fixed 30-year mortgage rose four basis points to average 3.66% from 3.62% a week ago. The Freddie… Continue reading Pushed by Treasuries, Mortgage Rates Jump

Strong Majority Say Home Values Will Inflate

The U.S. housing market is in for a healthy recovery, according to a new survey. A strong majority of consumers polled say they expect home values in all U.S. cities to inflate. Sixty-one percent of those surveyed said that home prices will inflate, despite the economic issues that face the U.S. economy and the real… Continue reading Strong Majority Say Home Values Will Inflate

Mortgages Drop as Loan Interest Ebbs

By Mike Colpitts Mortgage activity dropped for the second week in a row as mortgage rates rose driven by a strong hike in U.S. Treasury yields. Bond rates have been rising for one straight week, pushing mortgage rates higher. The Mortgage Bankers Association market composite index on loan applications fell 4.5% on a seasonally adjusted… Continue reading Mortgages Drop as Loan Interest Ebbs

Mortgage Rate Hike Threatens Housing Recovery

By Mike Colpitts For the first time in more than a year, mortgage rates have risen three straight weeks as growing instability over the  U.S.  economy jittered bond markets. U.S. Treasuries rose from a record low of 1.38% on the benchmark 10-year bond to more than 1.85%. The increased yield is good news for investors… Continue reading Mortgage Rate Hike Threatens Housing Recovery

Refinancing Bombs as Mortgage Rates Soar

By Ryan Jackson After record all-time mortgage rates triggered a refinancing frenzy, applying for lower rate home mortgages dropped like a bomb last week as rates soared to the highest levels in weeks. The Mortgage Bankers Association refinancing index dropped 9% to lead the summer slowdown. The seasonally adjusted purchase index fell under just one-percent… Continue reading Refinancing Bombs as Mortgage Rates Soar

Housing Sparks Structural Problems, Despite Record Low Mortgages

By Mike Colpitts Problems with the U.S. housing market are more structural than cyclical in nature, analysts contend as the nation faces another round of quantitative easing in store from the Federal Reserve. Record low mortgage rates and the lowest home prices in years aren’t enough to turn around ailing real estate markets. Home values… Continue reading Housing Sparks Structural Problems, Despite Record Low Mortgages

Decline in Economic Uncertainty Triggers Mortgage Rates Jump

By Mike Colpitts Mortgage rates jumped for the first time in weeks as tensions over the Eurozone debt crisis and worries over the U.S. economy declined. The 30-year fixed rate mortgage averaged 3.55%, a jump from 3.49% a week ago. The 15-year fixed loan also moved higher. The 5-year Treasury indexed hybrid adjustable rate mortgage… Continue reading Decline in Economic Uncertainty Triggers Mortgage Rates Jump