Despite average mortgage rates increasing this past week, potential homebuyers were active in the market, a sign that they may be getting used to the current economic environment, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). According to the latest Market Composite Index from the MBA—its measure of mortgage loan activity volume and includes purchases and…
The United States added 115,000 jobs in April, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, significantly beating analysts’ expectations as employers continue to shrug off high energy costs and geopolitical uncertainty—something buyers and sellers have been less willing to do. With an unemployment rate now at 4.3% and an average 48,000 payrolls added per month…
Freddie Mac reported today that mortgage rates increased this week, still being driven by geopolitical tensions and sticky inflation, according to economists. The average mortgage rate increased 7 basis points to 6.37%, up from 6.30%, last week, according to the latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), released by Freddie Mac Thursday. “The expectation of rates…
Home-price growth continues to depreciate across multiple reports as the latest data from the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) saw improvements to affordability once again in Q1 2026. NAR’s Q1 Metropolitan Median Area Prices and Affordability data found that the national median home price was $404,300, observing only a 0.5% year-over-year increase, compared to 1.2%…
Mortgage applications declined for a second week in a row as economists point to economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions continuing to weigh on activity and drive mortgage rates up. According to the latest Market Composite Index from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA)—its measure of mortgage loan activity volume and includes purchases and refinances—decreased 4.4% on…
Editor’s note: Econ Review is a roundup of the month’s housing and economic market data reports. As spring progresses, the industry is awaiting data related to how the season shaped up ahead of another potential boom in activity over the upcoming summer. Here are some highlights from the housing and economic data that hit the…
The worry heading into the spring 2026 housing market was that “history would repeat itself” from 2025 and lead into another “cruel summer,” as described by Realtor.com® Chief Economist Danielle Hale. Last year, “tariff-driven uncertainty and recession fears” created headwinds for the market, preventing a spring bloom or summer heat-up from taking place. This year,…
Mortgage rates bumped back up this week but overall remain in the low 6% range, contributing to a subdued but steady spring market, according to economists. The average mortgage rate ticked increased 7 basis points to 6.30%, up from 6.23% last week, and back to the same point from two weeks ago, according to the…
Mortgage applications decreased this week but economists say homebuying sentiment has improved over this time last year thanks to an increase in homes on the market. According to the latest Market Composite Index from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA)—its measure of mortgage loan activity volume and includes purchases and refinances—decreased 1.6% on a seasonally adjusted…
Mortgage rates have reached their lowest point since mid-March but economists worry inflation and economic uncertainty caused by tensions in the Middle East will result in temporary decreases versus more sustained stability. The average mortgage rate ticked down 7 basis points to 6.23%, down from 6.30% last week, according to the latest Primary Mortgage Market…
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