Contrast Shown As Mortgage Applications Soar To 9.3%

In the month of May, a jobs report indicated that interest rates had plunged, nonetheless mortgages were staggeringly on the rise.

According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, mortgage solicitations rose to 9.3% in the past few weeks. The results of which were adjusted from time to time, including the Memorial Day holiday. The upsurge may be a way to cover the massive debility weeks ago or in response to the minor decline in interest rates.

Home loan applications soared by 7%, seasonally attuned and are virtually 14% higher than a year ago. An increase of 12% in mortgage applications was also realized, which represented figures for homes bought in the span of a week. Conversely, a 19% decrease was registered within the past month and 6% from the same week in 2015. Putting into consideration the high demand for housing, applications are likely to be greater. Nevertheless, sales have been very slow due to the high prices of homes.

Mike Fratantoni, chief economist of the MBA said “Given the frail employment report for May, we reason that it is doubtful that the Fed will raise rates in June.”

“However, as other economic data are indicative of continued economic growth, we suppose that they will increase rates following their July meeting,” he added.

The current atmosphere would have been a great time to buy a house, but most people who had this notion, are often discouraged as the net share of Canadians who say so has dropped to 29% in May as reported by mortgage giant, Fannie Mae.

Doug Duncan, senior vice president and chief economist at Fannie Mae said: “Continued home price rise has been enfolding housing affordability, driving a two-year descending trend in the share of consumers who think it’s a good time to buy a home.”

“The current low mortgage rate milieu has aided ease this pressure, plus fewer than half of consumers expect rates to go up in the next year. Although the May increase in income growth perceptions could provide additional support to forthcoming home-buyers as the spring/summer home buying season gains momentum, the effect may be muted by May’s discouraging jobs report.” he added.

A 0.1% compliant loan balances ($417,000 or less) reduction was witnessed concerning the interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages.

J C Loum