War-time economics have, of course, sent gas prices skyrocketing, but have also pushed mortgage rates higher over the last five weeks, from a low of 5.99% to a high of 6.64%. Rates have fallen a bit recently, but higher rates have slowed some of the housing data down. In the past, mortgage rates above 7% […]
How is the housing market weathering war-time economics? Read More »
As shocking as it may seem with all the crazy things that have happened in 2026 — AI labor disruption headlines, epic snowstorms and especially the Iran conflict — housing demand, even last week, still showed year-over-year growth with mortgage purchase applications data and our weekly pending home sales. However, that growth has slowed and
Housing demand holds up despite mortgage rates at yearly highs Read More »
Despite higher oil and gas prices, higher mortgage rates and no indication that the conflict in Iran is ending, existing home sales still posted another positive week. However, with every week that goes by with mortgage rates above 6.25% and heading higher, it gets harder to maintain that growth, and housing data in the past
Housing demand still growing as mortgage rates reach inflection point Read More »
Lower mortgage rates and less volatility have been one of the key positive stories in 2026 for the housing market. Until last week, rates were under 6.25% all year and we didn’t see much volatility, which is a key variable for a healthy housing market. However, a lot of that changed last week as the
Housing demand still positive, but for how long with rising rates? Read More »
In the crazy world of economics, with all the drama last week, it was a pretty normal housing week. Housing data showed year-over-year growth, weekly pending home sales rose, inventory declined slightly and mortgage rates were very steady, considering the conflict with Iran. Let’s take a look at probably the calmest sector in the economy
Housing demand is up and inventory is down, even with Iran conflict Read More »
Spring is right around the corner and mortgage rates are already under 6%, but now we have a new variable: war with Iran. Now the question is whether the conflict in Iran will send rates lower or higher before the seasonal push in housing comes. Last week was already interesting as the 10-year yield closed
Will war with Iran send mortgage rates higher or lower? Read More »
Mortgage applications increased 0.4% from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA)’s weekly mortgage applications survey for the week ending Feb. 20. On an unadjusted basis, the index increased 2% compared with the previous week. The seasonally adjusted purchase index decreased 5% from one week earlier. The unadjusted purchase index
Mortgage applications rise slightly as rates move closer to 6% Read More »
Weekly pending home sales, which had shown year-over-year growth up until the late-January snowstorm, got back on track with year-over-year growth again last week. One thing to remember about our weekly pending sales data: it takes about 30-60 days to be reflected in the existing home sales data, so not only did the snowstorm delay
Weekly pending home sales back to year-over-year growth as we head into spring Read More »
Mortgage applications rose 2.8% last week as lower borrowing costs spurred a pickup in refinancing activity, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA)’s weekly mortgage applications survey for the week ending Feb. 13. On an unadjusted basis, the index rose 5% compared with the previous week. Refinance applications led the gain, climbing 7% from the
Mortgage demand rises 2.8%, fueled by 7% leap for refis Read More »
With mortgage rates near 6% and the snow effect fading away, we got a rebound in the weekly housing demand last week. For me, this is more about the snow impact fading from the data line, as we also saw a pickup in new listings. Housing inventory picked up a smidge, and the year-over-year price
Housing demand snaps back as mortgage rates near 6% Read More »