In the midst of dropping interest rates, mortgage demand has surprisingly fallen in the last week, as reported by the Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted index. The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages also decreased, reaching its lowest level since June 2023. However, the response from borrowers has been lackluster, with applications to refinance a home loan dropping 2% and applications for a mortgage to purchase a home declining by 1%. Despite these concerning trends, the Mortgage Bankers Association remains optimistic about the future of the market, predicting further declines in mortgage rates and modest growth in new and existing home sales.
The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances decreased to 6.83%, down from 7.07%. While this decrease is significant, it is important to note that rates are still considerably higher than pre-pandemic levels. With inflation dropping and the Federal Open Market Committee projecting rate cuts, it was expected that borrowers would respond more enthusiastically to the lower rates. However, the tepid response suggests that other factors may be influencing the demand for mortgages, despite the allure of lower interest rates.
Decline in Refinance and Purchase Applications
Applications to refinance a home loan dropped 2% in the past week, following a significant 19% increase in the previous week. Despite this decline, refinance demand is still 18% higher compared to the same period last year. On the other hand, applications for a mortgage to purchase a home declined by 1% and were 18% lower than the same period last year. These figures indicate a decrease in overall mortgage activity, highlighting the uncertain nature of the current market.
Despite the recent decline in mortgage demand, the Mortgage Bankers Association remains positive about the future of the market. While they anticipate a “mild recession” in the first half of the following year, they also expect further declines in mortgage rates, which could coincide with the upcoming spring housing market. The Federal Reserve’s indication of potential rate cuts in the coming year is seen as a favorable development that could support the growth of purchase originations. The association forecasts a 22% increase in mortgage origination volume to $2 trillion in 2024, with a 14% rise in purchase volume and a remarkable 56% jump in refinance demand.
Due to the Christmas holiday, the Mortgage Bankers Association will be releasing mortgage application data for the weeks ending December 22 and 29 on January 3. These figures will shed more light on the state of the mortgage market during the holiday season and provide further insights into the overall trends and potential future developments.
The current state of the mortgage market shows a decline in demand despite lower interest rates. Borrowers have responded tepidly to the rate decrease, leading to a decrease in both refinance and purchase applications. However, the Mortgage Bankers Association remains optimistic, predicting further declines in rates and modest growth in new and existing home sales. The upcoming release of mortgage application data will provide valuable information to assess the market’s performance during the holiday season and beyond.
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