MBA Reports Government Refinance Applications in U.S. Doubled in Latest Survey

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According to the Mortgage Bankers Association's latest Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending June 15, 2012, mortgage applications decreased 0.8 percent from one week earlier.

The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, decreased 0.8 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier.  On an unadjusted basis, the Index decreased more than 1 percent compared with the previous week.

The Refinance Index increased 1 percent from the previous week.

The seasonally adjusted Purchase Index fell 9 percent from one week earlier. The unadjusted Purchase Index decreased more than 9 percent compared with the previous week and was 2 percent lower than the same week one year ago.

"Refinance volume increased again last week, but the composition of activity changed markedly.   Despite rates remaining near all-time lows, conventional refinance application volume declined, and the HARP share of refinance activity dropped to 20 percent," said Michael Fratantoni, MBA's Vice President of Research and Economics.  "On the other hand, FHA refinance volume exploded to an all-time high, more than doubling over the week.  New, lower FHA premiums on streamlined refinance loans came fully into effect, and borrowers seized the opportunity to lower their mortgage rates without increasing their FHA premiums.  Purchase activity fell off last week, but this is likely only a recalibration following the Memorial Day holiday, as the level of activity remains within the narrow band seen for the past 3 years."

The refinance share of mortgage activity increased to 81 percent of total applications from 79 percent the previous week. The adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) share of activity decreased to 4 percent of total applications.

During the month of May, the investor share of applications for home purchase was at 6 percent, unchanged from the previous month, even though regions including East South Central and South Atlantic increased by 0.5 percent.

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($417,500 or less) decreased to 3.87 percent, matching the lowest rate in the history of the survey, from 3.88 percent, with points increasing to 0.49 from 0.43 (including the origination fee) for 80 percent loan-to-value ratio (LTV) loans.  The effective rate increased from last week.

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with jumbo loan balances (greater than $417,500) decreased to 4.06 percent, the lowest rate in the history of the survey, from 4.12 percent, with points decreasing to 0.38 from 0.41 (including the origination fee) for 80 percent LTV loans.  The effective ratedecreased from last week.

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages backed by the FHA increased to 3.72percent from 3.71 percent, with points decreasing to 0.47 from 0.59 (including the origination fee) for 80 percent LTV loans.  The effective rate decreased from last week.

The average contract interest rate for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages increased to 3.25 percent from 3.23percent, with points decreasing to 0.45 from 0.48 (including the origination fee) for 80 percent LTV loans. The effective rate increased from last week.

The average contract interest rate for 5/1 ARMs decreased to 2.75 percent, the lowest rate in the history of the survey, from 2.78 percent, with points decreasing to 0.33 from 0.49 (including the origination fee) for 80 percent LTV loans.  The effective rate decreased from last week.