Mortgage applications fall 5% despite rate decline
Despite steady mortgage rates, market trends like a softening job market and elevated inventories continue to impact application volumes.
Mortgage Rates
Auto Added by WPeMatico
Mortgage rates cool in 2025, but 2026 relief likely limited
Mortgage rates started the year slightly above 7% but are heading into the holiday season near 6.2%. 2026 forecasts show little change ahead.
MBA 2026 forecast: Slow growth amid inflation, rate hikes
MBA’s December forecast projects economic growth of 1.6% in 2025 and puts the chance of a recession over the next 12 months at 35%.
Why did the growth rate of housing inventory drop by half this year?
Housing inventory growth slowed from over 30% to 13.54% in 2025 as new listings and sales trends shifted late in the year.
Weekly housing demand reaches multiyear high
Weekly pending home sales reach multiyear highs as mortgage rates stay near 6% and inventory growth slows.
Housing affordability challenges steepen in Q3
In Q3 2025, a household needed to earn $110,100 to afford to own a single-family home, nearly double the income required five years ago.
November mortgage lock data driven by strong refinance activity
November’s mortgage rate-lock activity slowed but posted the strongest results in four years, driven by a surge in refinances.
Fed delivers third straight rate cut, but housing market will see limited relief
The Federal Reserve delivered another 25-basis-point cut to its benchmark interest rate on Wednesday, setting the target range at 3.5% to 3.75%.
December housing demand near 3-year high as spreads improve
Mortgage purchase applications hit a three-year high as improved spreads and lower rates drive 18 weeks of growth.
Most prospective homebuyers want to seal the deal in 2026
About three-quarters said more affordable home prices would prompt buying within six months. Mortgage rates were the No. 2 factor.