Housing

Mortgage Loan Rates Rise for 4th Consecutive Week

House for Sale
Source: Thinkstock
The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) released its report on mortgage applications Wednesday morning, noting a week-over-week decrease of 1.6% in the group’s seasonally adjusted composite index for the week ending May 22. That followed a decrease of 1.5% for the week ending May 15. Mortgage loan rates increased on all five loan types.

On an unadjusted basis, the composite index decreased by 2% week-over-week. The seasonally adjusted purchase index dropped 1% compared to the week ended May 15. The unadjusted purchase index was unchanged for the week, and remained 14% higher year-over-year.

The MBA’s refinance index decreased 4% week-over-week, and the percentage of all new applications that were seeking refinancing fell from 52% to 51%.

Refinancings rose to as much as 75% of all mortgage loans made when interest rates fell below about 3.6% on the 30-year fixed loans. Unless rates reach that level again, it is highly unlikely that refinancing will regain a significant portion of the mortgage loan market.

Adjustable rate mortgage loans accounted for 6.4% of all applications, unchanged from the prior week.

The average mortgage loan rate for a conforming 30-year fixed-rate mortgage increased from 4.04% to 4.07%. The rate for a jumbo 30-year fixed-rate mortgage increased from 4.04% to 4.06%. The average interest rate for a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage rose from 3.26% to 3.29%.

The contract interest rate for a 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage loan increased from 2.99% to 3.04%. Rates on a 30-year FHA-backed fixed rate loan rose from 3.80% to 3.83%.

ALSO READ: 10 Stocks to Own for the Next Decade

ALERT: Take This Retirement Quiz Now  (Sponsored)

Take the quiz below to get matched with a financial advisor today.

Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests.

Here’s how it works:
1. Answer SmartAsset advisor match quiz
2. Review your pre-screened matches at your leisure. Check out the advisors’ profiles.
3. Speak with advisors at no cost to you. Have an introductory call on the phone or introduction in person and choose whom to work with in the future

Take the retirement quiz right here.

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