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Tag Archives: Mortgage Rates

DataQuick: Southland Home Sales Up for Sixth Straight Month in June

DataQuick reported that home sales in Southern California increased year-over-year for the sixth straight month in June, attributing the increase to ""robust investor demand and significant sales gains for mid- to high-end homes."" In addition, fewer foreclosure re-sales and greater activity in the more expensive coastal counties helped boost the region's median sale price to a two-year high.

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Homeownership Rate Likely to Continue Falling: Capital Economics

For the first quarter of 2012, the Census Bureau reported the homeownership rate dropped to 65.4 percent, which was a yearly (66.4 percent) and quarterly drop (66.0 percent). Even more significant was the fact that rate had never seen such a low since the first quarter of 1997 when the rate was also 65.4 percent. In a report, Paul Diggle of Capital Economics wrote, ""it's plausible that tight credit, subdued confidence and many more foreclosures will drive the homeownership rate down to 64%.""

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Weak Jobs Report Sends Mortgage Rates Tumbling Again

The 30-year fixed averaged 3.56 percent (0.7 point) for the week ending July 12, down from 3.62 percent the previous week. At the same time in 2011, the 30-year fixed averaged 4.51 percent. This week marks the 16th straight week that the 30-year average has stayed below 4 percent. The 15-year fixed also fell, averaging 2.86 percent (0.7 point), a drop from 2.89 percent last week. A year ago, the 15-year fixed averaged 3.65 percent.

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CFPB Proposes Redesigned Mortgage Forms for Clarity

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) proposed mortgage disclosure forms designed for understanding on Monday. The forms are a result of research, testing, writing, and review and are being created to help consumers comprehend the terms of their mortgage and the costs involved. The proposed forms are part of the agency's Know Before You Owe project and are to be provided after applying for a loan and before closing.

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June Sees Housing Confidence Boost in Spite of Economic Worries

Downturns in economic confidence hasn't shaken consumers' optimism in the housing market, Fannie Mae's National Housing Survey for June showed. According to the survey, the average home price expectation rose to 2 percent in June, up 0.6 percent from May and the highest recorded value since the survey began two years ago. In addition, 35 percent of respondents expect that home prices will go up in the next year, the highest level recorded since the survey's inception.

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Fixed Rates See New Bottom

The search for a new low is still on as fixed-rates continue to break record-lows week after week. According to Freddie Mac's survey, fixed rates fell again following reports showing a slowdown in consumer spending and the manufacturing industry. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to 3.62 percent (0.8 point) for the week ending July 5. Last week, it averaged 3.66 percent. The 15-year fixed-rate dropped down to 2.89 percent (0.7 point) from last week's 2.94 percent.

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ASF Releases White Paper on Single Agency Security Proposal

The American Securitization Forum (ASF) released on Monday a white paper regarding FHFA's proposed single securitization platform, revealing that while originators and investors disagree on how to implement it, they concur that a single agency would be beneficial. The consensus among ASF members was that in order for the GSEs' securities to be exchangeable, standardization would have to occur in four key areas: Loan delivery and pooling requirements; remittance requirements; underwriting guidelines and refinance programs; and servicing standards and loan repurchase policies.

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Barclays Chairman Steps Down Amid Scandal

Barclays released a statement Monday morning announcing that chairman Marcus Agius is stepping down in the wake of a scandal that rocked the bank. This follows news from last week that Barclays had manipulated interbank lending rates starting as early as 2007. Barclays was fined £290 million (approximately $450 million) by British and U.S. authorities for manipulating the London Interbank Offered Rate. The Barclays board will commence the search for a successor immediately. Agius will remain in post until a successor is found.

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Mortgage Rates in ‘Holding Pattern,’ Match Record Lows

Mortgage rates remained somewhat flat for the week ending June 28, according to Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS). The 30-year fixed averaged 3.66 percent (0.7 point), staying level with the all-time low that was achieved the previous week. At this time in 2011, the 30-year fixed averaged 4.51 percent. The 15-year fixed averaged 2.94 percent (0.7 point), down slightly from 2.95 percent the previous week. This week's average matches the all-time low set in the first week of June 2012. At the same time last year, the 15-year fixed rate mortgage averaged 3.69 percent.

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Mortgage Rates Take Another Record Dive

According to Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS), average mortgage rates are easing, even in the face of troubling economic signs. The 30-year FRM averaged 3.66 (0.7 point) for the week ending June 21, down from 3.71 percent the previous week. At the same time in 2011, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.5 percent. The 15-year FRM averaged 2.95 percent (0.6 point), down from 2.98 percent in the last survey and a year-over-year drop from 3.69 percent. Adjustable rate mortgages (ARM) both slipped down, as well.

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