Mortgage Applications Down Again in MBA Weekly Survey

Mortgage applications fell again last week despite an uptick in purchase applications and even as the 30-year fixed mortgage rate dropped to a record low, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported this morning in its Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending April 24.

Homeownership Rate Ticks Up to 65.3%

Pre-coronavirus, the nation’s homeownership continued its recovery in the first quarter, rising by 1.1 percent from a year ago to 65.3 percent, the Census Bureau reported yesterday.

February Home Prices Increase by 4.2% Annually

S&P Dow Jones Indices, New York, said its CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index reported a 4.2% annual gain in February, up from 3.9% in January.

April Consumer Confidence Takes Another Dive

The Conference Board, New York, said its Consumer Confidence Index deteriorated further in April, following a sharp decline in March. The Index now stands at 86.9, its lowest level since 2014, down from 118.8 in March and 130.7 in February.

MBA Launches Advocacy Ad Campaign

The Mortgage Bankers Association yesterday launched a print and advertising campaign targeting Capitol Hill lawmakers, Washington “influencers” and consumers.