Mortgage Watch | October 7

By Uncategorized October 8, 2019

Borrowers jump on board the refinance bandwagon as rates drop

When mortgage rates plummet to historically low levels, you have to expect a reaction from the borrowing public. And, as usual, they did not disappoint. Borrowers got themselves to their loan reps and began taking advantage of the market. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), the volume of mortgage applications rebounded sharply last week as homeowners rushed to refinance.

Mortgage News Daily says, “The Refinance Index increased 14 percent from the previous week and was 133 percent higher than the same week one year ago. The refinance share of mortgage activity increased to 58.0 percent of total applications from 54.9 percent the previous week.”

The article reports that although refinance activity slowed in September compared to August, the months together were the strongest since October 2016, and this is expected to continue. MBA’ Joel Kan said, “Purchase applications also increased and remained more than 9 percent higher than a year ago. Low rates and healthy housing market fundamentals continue to support solid levels of purchase activity.”

The FHA share of total applications decreased a percent, to 10.4 percent from 11.4 percent the week the previous week and VA loans followed, dropping to 12.4 percent from 13.1 percent. The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages (FRM) with origination balances at or below the conforming limit of $484,350 decreased as well, while the contract interest rate for jumbo 30-year FRM, loans with balances greater than the conforming limit, dipped 2 basis points. The article reports that both the contract and the effective rate for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) moved higher.

MBA’s Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey has been around since 1990 and covers over 75 percent of all US retail residential applications. Its respondents include mortgage bankers, commercial banks and thrifts.

Source: MorgageNewsDaily, TBWS

Rates Currently Trending: Neutral

Mortgage rates are trending sideways so far today. Last week the MBS market improved by +40 bps on moderate to high volatility. This was enough to improve mortgage rates or fees.

 

 

About the Author
Tim Morissette, REALTOR®

Tim Morissette, also known in the community as Mr. Foothill Ranch, offers over 46 years of real estate experience which has given him an established reputation and unmatched market knowledge. He is joined by his wife, Michele and sons Matt and Jeff, as they continue to offer personal service with an emphasis on achieving his clients’ real estate goals.  This unique combination of traits has led to his proven track record of referral and repeat business. This can be witnessed by the trust of homeowners in Foothill Ranch where he has sold twice as many homes and represented three times more buyers than the next-leading real estate agent for the last 26 years.

As residents of Foothill Ranch since 1994, Tim and Michele are actively involved in the community by fundraising for Foothill Ranch Library, Make-a-Wish Foundation, Cancer Society, Homes for Habitat, Relay for Life, South County Outreach, and the local church and schools. Tim enjoys sponsoring community-wide garage sales, paper shredding and e-waste recycling event, an Easter egg hunt, & a Meet Santa Event.

Tim and Michele are dedicated to their family of four sons, daughter-in-laws, and grandchildren. As a family, they enjoy many outdoor activities which include camping, spearfishing, mountain climbing and exploring the miles of hiking and equestrian trails in Foothill Ranch and the Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park. Tim and his sons are also avid snowboarders and enjoy mountain biking and lobster diving. Family is a top priority in the Morissette household. They look forward to helping more families achieve their dreams of homeownership.