Mortgage Refinancing Stalls as Housing Market Struggles

Mortgage loans refinancing declined for the week ending March 22, contributing to a drop in home loans applications even as interest rates decelerated, data from the Mortgage Bankers Association showed on Wednesday.The Refinance Index fell 2 percent from the prior week and was 9 percent lower compared to a year ago. Overall, mortgage applications dropped by 0.7 percent at a time when the 30-year fixed rate mortgage ticked down to 6.93 percent from the prior week's 6.97 percent.

Recent data suggests that buyers are still looking for lower borrowing costs. New home sales declined in February, amid high mortgage rates that economists say depressed activity as the housing market enters its busy Spring season.Kan said on Wednesday that still elevated mortgage rates are still keeping buyers on the sidelines.'Purchase applications were essentially unchanged, as homebuyers continue to hold out for lower mortgage rates and for more listings to hit the market,' he noted.

United States United States Latest News, United States United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Housing Market Update: Mortgage Rates Keep Buyers at BayAn uptick in mortgage rates sparked a decline in home loans applications, lenders say.
Source: Newsweek - 🏆 468. / 52 Read more »

Housing Market Update: Mortgage Rates Rise at the Worst TimeMortgage rates jumped for the week ending March 21, according to Freddie Mac.
Source: Newsweek - 🏆 468. / 52 Read more »

New home sales fall as mortgage rates weigh down housing marketFebruary new home sales fell as the housing market continues to feel the effects of higher mortgage rates, which have remained at multiyear highs for months.
Source: dcexaminer - 🏆 6. / 94 Read more »