July 18, 2024
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to its lowest level since mid-March, dropping 12 basis points from last week. Mortgage rates are headed in the right direction and the economy remains resilient, two positive incremental signs for the housing market. However, homebuyers have yet to respond to lower rates, as purchase application demand is still roughly 5 percent below Spring, when rates were approximately the same. This is not uncommon: sometimes as rates decline, demand weakens, and the apparent paradox is driven by buyers making sure rates don’t decline further before they decide to purchase.

Information provided by Freddie Mac.