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…
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…
Sales of new single-family houses in March were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 682,000, according to estimates released jointly May 5 by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). That was 7.4% above the February rate of 635,000, and 3.3% above the March 2025 rate of 660,000.…
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…
Since the commencement of the U.S. and Iran war, energy prices have soared, and the latest findings from the Bureau of Economic Analysis’ Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) index (the Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of inflation) found that catching up. The PCE price index experienced a large bump in March 2026; after hovering around 2.9% annual…
Nonprofit business research organization The Conference Board released its latest Leading Economic Index (LEI)—which provides an early indication of significant turning points in the business cycle and where the economy is heading—showing a decline of 0.6% in March 2026, more than reversing its 0.3% increase in February. Overall, the LEI fell by 1.0% over the…
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…
Jerome Powell’s reign at the Fed may be at its end, but he’s not going anywhere. On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve held interest rates steady at its April Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, leaving the federal funds rate unchanged at a rate of 3.5%-3.75% for the third straight month since December’s quarter-point cut. And…
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…
As the conflict with Iran has loomed over the heads of consumers and over the economy, the two-week ceasefire in April contributed to some relief in consumer views, according to the latest data from The Conference Board. The Consumer Confidence Index® saw a 0.6 point increase to 92.8 in April (baseline of 100 is based…
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