Connect With PPD
Follow Us:
Economy

MBA Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey Gains 3.6% for February 15

MBA: Applications Showing Promise Edging Closer to Spring Home-Buying Season

A graphic concept depicting a young family and a mortgage application for a home. (Photo: AdobeStock)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Mortgage applications rose 3.6% from for the week ending February 15, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey.

The Market Composite Index, which gauges mortgage loan application volume, rose 3.6% on a seasonally adjusted basis and 7% on an unadjusted basis. That ends a 4-week decline.

“Mortgage rates held steady on mixed economic news, as core inflation remained firm, while retail sales in December were much weaker than expected,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s Associate Vice President of Industry Surveys and Forecasts. “However, overall application activity picked up over the week.”

“After four consecutive declines, purchase applications increased almost 2% over the week and 2.5% compared to a year ago – showing some promise as we edge closer to the spring home-buying season.”

The Refinance Index increased 6%, while the seasonally adjusted Purchase Index gained 2%. The unadjusted Purchase Index rose 7% and was 3% higher than the same week one year ago.

The refinance share of mortgage activity fell marginally to 41.7% of total applications from 41.8%. The share for adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) activity was unchanged at 7.7% of total applications.

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) share of total applications declined to 10.2% from 11.0%. The Veterans Administration (VA) share of total applications fell to 10.1% from 10.9%. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) share rose marginally to 0.7% from 0.6%.

Averages for Interest Rates H/T: MBA

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($484,350 or less) rose to 4.66% from 4.65%, with points decreasing to 0.42 from 0.43 (including the origination fee) for 80% loan-to-value ratio (LTV) loans.

The effective rate remained unchanged.

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with jumbo loan balances (greater than $484,350) gained from 4.48% to 4.56%, with points decreasing to 0.23 from 0.27 (including the origination fee) for 80% LTV loans.

The effective rate increased.

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages backed by the FHA rose from 4.61% to 4.68%, with points rising to 0.58 from 0.53 (including the origination fee) for 80% LTV loans.

The effective rate increased.

The average contract interest rate for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages fell was 4.04%, with points decreasing to 0.44 from 0.48 (including the origination fee) for 80% LTV loans.

The effective rate decreased.

The average contract interest rate for 5/1 ARMs increased to 4.00% from 3.97%, with points decreasing to 0.24 from 0.42 (including the origination fee) for 80% LTV loans.

The effective rate decreased.

About the MBA Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey

The Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey covers over 75% of all U.S. retail residential mortgage applications, and has been conducted weekly since 1990.

Respondents include mortgage bankers, commercial banks and thrifts. Base period and value for all indexes is March 16, 1990=100.

READ FULL STORY

SubscribeSign In
PPD Business Staff

PPD Business, the economy-reporting arm of People's Pundit Daily, is "making sense of current events." We are a no-holds barred, news reporting pundit of, by, and for the people.

Share
Published by
PPD Business Staff

Recent Posts

Media’s Worst Russian Collusion Sins May Soon Be Repeated

The most damning journalistic sin committed by the media during the era of Russia collusion…

1 year ago

Study: Mask-Mandates and Use Not Associated With Lower Covid-19 Case Growth

The first ecological study finds mask mandates were not effective at slowing the spread of…

4 years ago

Barnes and Baris on Big Tech’s Arbitrary Social Media Bans

On "What Are the Odds?" Monday, Robert Barnes and Rich Baris note how big tech…

4 years ago

Barnes and Baris on Why America First Stands With Israel

On "What Are the Odds?" Monday, Robert Barnes and Rich Baris discuss why America First…

4 years ago

Personal Income Fell Significantly in February, Consumer Spending Weaker than Expected

Personal income fell $1,516.6 billion (7.1%) in February, roughly the consensus forecast, while consumer spending…

4 years ago

Study: Infection, Vaccination Protects Against Covid-19 Variants

Research finds those previously infected by or vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 are not at risk of…

4 years ago

This website uses cookies.