Housing

Falling Mortgage Rates Encouraging for Buyers, Refinancings

House for Sale
Source: Thinkstock
The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) released its weekly report on mortgage applications Wednesday morning, noting an increase of 0.9% in the group’s seasonally adjusted composite index. That followed a rise of 3.6% for the previous week. Mortgage loan rates decreased last week for all types of mortgage loans.

The seasonally adjusted purchase index decreased 3% from the prior week’s report. On an unadjusted basis, the composite index increased by 0.4% week-over-week. The unadjusted purchase index decreased by 3% for the week, but remains 12% lower year-over-year.

Adjustable rate mortgage loans account for 8% of all applications, unchanged from last week.

The MBA’s refinance index increased by 4%, after rising by 7% in the previous week. The share of refinancings rose from 50% to 52% of all applications.

The average mortgage loan rate for a conforming 30-year fixed-rate mortgage decreased from 4.39% to 4.33%, the lowest rate since last November. The rate for a jumbo 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell from 4.29% to 4.24%, the lowest rate since May of 2013. The average interest rate for a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage decreased from 3.48% to 3.43%, the lowest rate since last October.

The contract interest rate for a 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage loan slipped from 3.17% to 3.14%. Rates on a 30-year FHA-backed fixed rate loan fell from 4.09% to 4.06%, the lowest rate since last October.

Refinancing has picked up a little as the interest rates have come down to multi-month lows. Mortgage rates are still well below historical levels, even though they are about a point higher than the lows reached early in 2013.

ALSO READ: The 10 Best Cities to Flip a Home

Sponsored: Want to Retire Early? Here’s a Great First Step

Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?

Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.

Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.