It was a tough week for mortgage applications, as the latest report from the Mortgage Bankers Associations reveals that the usual highs of the spring home-buying season are not there.
Mortgage applications decreased 4.1% from one week earlier for the week ending April 22. While the last mortgage rate report showed a humdrum week for mortgage applications, it was coming off of the previous week’s high.
The Refinance Index fell 5% from the previous week, as the seasonally adjusted Purchase Index decreased 2% from one week earlier.
The refinance share of mortgage activity is also backing away from its once increasing trend and instead decreased to 54.4% of total applications from 55.4% the previous week. In addition, the adjustable-rate mortgage share of activity increased to 5.2% of total applications.
The Federal Housing Administration’s share of total applications grew to 12.3% from 10.6% the week prior. The Veteran Affairs’ share of total applications dropped to 12.2% from 12.6% the week prior, while the United States Department of Agriculture’s share of total applications remained unchanged from 0.8% the week prior.
The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with jumbo loan balances (greater than $417,000) grew to 3.78% from 3.77%.
Similarly, the average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages backed by the FHA increased to 3.66% from 3.64%.
The average contract interest rate for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages increased to 3.09% from 3.06%, while the average contract interest rate for 5/1 ARMs increased to 3.02% from 2.91%.
