Mortgage Applications Ease During Holiday-Shortened Week

Mortgage application activity slipped modestly last week as both purchase and refinance demand eased during the holiday-shortened period. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reported a 2.2% decrease in total application volume on a seasonally adjusted basis for the week ending July 3, with results adjusted for the Fourth of July holiday. Purchase applications declined 1% from the previous week on a seasonally adjusted basis but remained 5% higher than the same week one year ago, still stronger year-over-year despite elevated borrowing costs. Refinance activity weakened further, with the Refinance Index falling 4% from the prior week while remaining 8% above year-ago levels. “Mortgage application volume was little changed during the week of the nation's 250th Independence Day celebration, as the 30-year fixed rate increased slightly to 6.58 percent,” said Mike Fratantoni, MBA’s SVP and Chief Economist. “After adjusting for the Independence Day holiday, government purchase volume increased modestly, led by a 5 percent gain in VA purchase applications, while conventional purchase activity declined. Refinance application volume was down 4 percent, as homeowners saw little enticement to act with rates still elevated.” The refinance share of mortgage activity decreased to 40.6% from 41.4%, while the adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) share increased to 7.8% from 7.6%.