October 11, 2018
In this week’s survey, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage jumped 19 basis points to 4.90 percent. Rates are now at their highest level since the week of April 14, 2011.
Rising rates paired with high and escalating home prices is putting downward pressure on purchase demand. While the monthly payment remains affordable due to the still low mortgage rate environment, the primary hurdle for many borrowers today is the down payment and that is the reason home sales have decreased in many high-priced markets.

Information provided by Freddie Mac.

October 4, 2018

Mortgage rates inched back a little in this week’s survey, easing 1 basis point to 4.71 percent after hitting a seven year high last week. There is upside risk to mortgage rates as the economy remains very robust and this is reflected in the very recent strength in the fixed income and equities markets.
However, the strength in the economy has failed to translate to gains in the housing market as higher mortgage rates have contributed to the decrease in home purchase applications, which are down from a year ago. With mortgage rates expected to track higher, it’s going to be a challenge for the housing market to regain momentum.

Information provided by Freddie Mac.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose for the fifth consecutive week to 4.72 percent – a high not seen since April 28, 2011 (4.78 percent).
The robust economy, rising Treasury yields and the anticipation of more short-term rate hikes caused mortgage rates to move up.
Even with these higher borrowing costs, it’s encouraging to see that prospective buyers appear to be having a little more success. With inventory constraints and home prices starting to ease, purchase applications have now trended higher on an annual basis for six straight weeks.
Consumer confidence is at an 18-year high, and job gains are holding steady. These two factors should keep demand up in coming months, but at the same time, home shoppers will likely deal with even higher mortgage rates.

Information provided by Freddie Mac.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage increased once again to its highest level since May.
Mortgage rates are drifting upward again and represent continued affordability challenges for prospective buyers – especially first-time buyers. Borrowing costs are moving right now for three main reasons: the very strong economy, higher U.S. government debt issuances and global trade tensions.

Information provided by Freddie Mac.

The one-two punch of strong job and consumer credit growth drove mortgage rates up to their highest mark since August 2.
Mortgage rates are currently 0.82 percent higher than a year ago, which is the biggest year-over-year increase since May 2014. Looking ahead, annualized comparisons for mortgage applications may look weaker than they appear, but that’s primarily because of the large spread between mortgage rates now and last September, which was when they reached their low for the year.
Overall, this spectacular stretch of solid job gains and low unemployment should help keep homebuyer interest elevated. However, mortgage rates will likely also move up, as the Federal Reserve considers short-term rate hikes this month and at future meetings.

Information provided by Freddie Mac.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage inched higher for the second straight week.
Borrowing costs may be slowly on the rise again in coming weeks, as investors remain optimistic about the underlying strength of the economy. It’s important to note that mortgage rates are now up three-quarters of a percentage point from last year and home prices – albeit at a slower pace – are still outrunning rising inflation and incomes.

Information provided by Freddie Mac.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage barely inched up this week, continuing the summer trend of essentially being flat.
While sales and price growth have softened these last few months, this leveling of rates may be helping more buyers reach the market. Purchase mortgage applications this week were once again modestly above year ago levels.

Information provided by Freddie Mac.

Mortgage rates inched backward this week to their lowest level since mid-April.
Backed by very strong consumer spending, the economy is red-hot this month, which is in turn rippling through the financial markets and driving equities higher.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about the housing market, where it appears sales activity crested in late 2017. Existing-home sales have now stepped back annually for the fifth straight month, and purchase mortgage applications this week were barely above year ago levels.

Mortgage rates remained mostly flat over the past week, which has been the dominant theme since late spring.
This stability in borrowing costs comes despite the highest core inflation rates since 2008 and turbulence in the currency markets. Unfortunately, this pause in rates is not leading to increasing home sales.
Purchase mortgage applications trailed year ago levels again last week, and it’s clear in some markets that the combination of ascending home prices, limited affordable inventory and this year’s higher rates are curtailing homebuyer demand.

Mortgage rates have mostly drifted sideways this summer. This stability is much needed for home sales, which have crested because of the multi-year run up in prices, tight affordable inventory and this year’s higher rates. Going forward, the strong economy will support the housing market, but with affordability pressures mounting, further spikes in mortgage rates will lead to continued softening in home price growth.