Total mortgage activity—which includes applications for refinancings and home purchases—rose 2.7 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis as homeowners rushed to take advantage of lower mortgage rates.The refinance market was what drove last week’s increase, rising 7 percent week over week as mortgage rates dropped to the lowest level since November 2016. Still, refinance activity remains about 34 percent below where it was a year ago, the Mo
Results from the composite of single-family home price indices calculated every monthKey Takeaways The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index, covering all nine U.S. census divisions, reported a 5.8 percent annual gain in February, up from 5.6 percent last month and setting a 32-month high.February’s S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index numbers set a fourth consecutive all-time high — the highest HPI seen in a wh
With adjustable-rate mortgages resetting to a lower rate, homeowners with these loans are seeing more money in their pocket and are increasing their overall spending, according to a newly released report by JPMorgan Chase Institute. Borrowers with ARMs have increased their spending by 15 percent relative to their baseline, which equates to about $488 per month, according to the report.Further, these homeowners spent 9 percent more ahead of the ex
Mortgage rates have dropped below 4 percent for the first time since November, and home buyers likely will want to take advantage of the lower borrowing costs. The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to 3.97 percent for the week ending April 20, according to Freddie Mac's weekly mortgage market survey. "We are in the spring, and people are out looking to buy homes," says Len Kiefer, deputy chief economist at Freddie Mac. "These low rates are
One of the nation’s largest processors of consumer mortgage payments—Ocwen Financial Corp.—was sued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and also faces a cease and desist order by a multistate committee that's essentially shutting down the lender’s operations in a handful of states.Ocwen, based in West Palm Beach, Fla., services loans for borrowers in every U.S. state and the District of Columbia. As of Dec. 31, 2016, it serviced n
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has fallen to its lowest average since November 2016, Freddie Mac reports in its weekly mortgage market survey.“The 30-year mortgage rate fell 11 basis points this week to 3.97 percent, dropping below the psychologically-important 4 percent level for the first time since November,” says Sean Becketti, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “Weak economic data and growing international tensions are driving investors
Fewer home buyers and refinancers took advantage of the lowest rate of the year last week. Total mortgage applications—including for refinancings and home purchases—dropped by 1.8 percent week over week, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported Wednesday. Mortgage applications are now down 23.5 percent from the same week a year ago.Even low mortgage rates don’t seem to be enough incentive to spark greater activity among homeowners and woul
Homeownership-related tax deductions can prove advantageous in lowering your tax bill. HouseLogic lists some of the ways homeownership helps at tax time:Mortgage interest deduction: Itemizing homeowners can deduct the interest they pay on their mortgage up to $1 million—or $500,000 if married but filing separately. The deductions can be made for loans issued to buy, build, or improve your home, and can apply to a house, trailer, or boat as long
After the Federal Reserve raised its key interest rate about a month ago, mortgage rates were expected to increase as well. Instead, they've been dropping in recent weeks. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.08 percent last week, its lowest point so far in 2017 and its fourth consecutive week for declines, Freddie Mac reported.When the Fed raises its federal funds rate, it becomes pricier for banks to borrow money, which generally leads to
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage continues to drop this week, setting a new low for 2017, Freddie Mac reports in its weekly mortgage market survey. This marks the fourth consecutive week that 30-year rates have fallen."Following a weak March jobs report, the 10-year Treasury yield dropped about 5 basis points,” explains Sean Becketti, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “The 30-year mortgage rate fell 2 basis points to 4.08 percent.”Freddie Mac
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