Lauren Novak

September 19, 2024

Mortgage rates continued declining towards the six percent mark, reviving purchase and refinance demand for many consumers. While mortgage rates do not directly follow moves by the Federal Reserve, this first cut in over four years will have an impact on the housing market. Declining mortgage rates over the last several weeks indicate this cut was mostly baked in, but rates will likely fall further, sparking more housing activity.

Information provided by Freddie Mac.

September 12, 2024
Mortgage rates have fallen more than half a percent over the last six weeks and are at their lowest level since February 2023. Rates continue to soften due to incoming economic data that is more sedate. But despite the improving mortgage rate environment, prospective buyers remain on the sidelines, as they negotiate a combination of high house prices and persistent supply shortages.

Information provided by Freddie Mac.

September 5, 2024
Mortgage rates remained flat this week as markets await the release of the highly anticipated August jobs report. Even though rates have come down over the summer, home sales have been lackluster. On the refinance side however, homeowners who bought in recent years are taking advantage of declining mortgage rates in order to lower their monthly payments.

Information provided by Freddie Mac.

August 29, 2024
Mortgage rates fell again this week due to expectations of a Fed rate cut. Rates are expected to continue their decline and while potential homebuyers are watching closely, a rebound in purchase activity remains elusive until further declines are seen.

Information provided by Freddie Mac.

August 22, 2024
Although mortgage rates have stayed relatively flat over the past couple of weeks, softer incoming economic data suggest rates will gently slope downward through the end of the year. Earlier this month, rates plunged and are now lingering just under 6.5 percent, which has not been enough to motivate potential homebuyers. Rates likely will need to decline another percentage point to generate buyer demand.

Information provided by Freddie Mac.

August 15, 2024
While rates increased slightly this week, they remain more than half a percent lower than the same time last year. In 2023, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage nearly hit 8 percent, slamming the brakes on the housing market. Now, the 30-year fixed-rate hovers around 6.5 percent and will likely trend down in the coming months as inflation continues to slow. Lower rates are good news for potential buyers and sellers alike.

Information provided by Freddie Mac.

August 8, 2024
Mortgage rates plunged this week to their lowest level in over a year following the likely overreaction to a less than favorable employment report and financial market turbulence for an economy that remains on solid footing. The decline in mortgage rates does increase prospective homebuyers’ purchasing power and should begin to pique their interest in making a move. Additionally, this drop in rates is already providing some existing homeowners the opportunity to refinance, with the refinance share of market mortgage applications reaching nearly 42 percent, the highest since March 2022.

Information provided by Freddie Mac.

August 1, 2024
Mortgage rates declined to their lowest level since early February. Expectations of a Fed rate cut coupled with signs of cooling inflation bode well for the market, but apprehension in consumer confidence may prevent an immediate uptick as affordability challenges remain top of mind. Despite this, a recent moderation in home price growth and increases in housing inventory are a welcoming sign for potential homebuyers.

Information provided by Freddie Mac.