Finance

Mortgage rates dropped this week, but mortgage applications also declined

Published

1 year ago

April 1, 2024

Business Finance News

Mortgage rates dropped to 6.79% for 30-year mortgages. (iStock)

Mortgage rates continued their slight decline this week, Freddie Mac reported. For 30-year fixed-rate mortgages, the average interest rate is 6.79%, down from last week’s average of 6.87%.

Last year at this time, mortgage rates for 30-year mortgages averaged closer to the bottom of the 6% range at 6.35%.

“Mortgage rates moved slightly lower this week, providing a bit more room in the budgets of some prospective homebuyers,” Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist, said.

“We also are seeing encouraging data on existing home sales, which reflects improving inventory. Regardless, rates remain elevated near seven percent as markets watch for signs of cooling inflation, hoping that rates will come down further.”

For 15-year mortgages, rates have also dropped since last week and now average 6.11% for fixed-rate mortgages. This is higher than last year’s average of 5.56%.

If you’re looking to purchase a home in today’s market, you can explore your mortgage options by visiting Credible where you can compare rates and lenders with a click of a button.

BIDEN WANTS TO GIVE HOMEBUYERS $400 PER MONTH: STATE OF THE UNION

Mortgage applications stalled this week

While rates are dropping, buyers aren’t yet fully committed to buying. Mortgage applications decreased 0.7% from a week earlier, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) weekly survey.

Compared to a year ago, MBA’s unadjusted Purchase Index was 16% lower, signaling a struggle to keep buyers in the market.

“Mortgage application activity was muted last week despite slightly lower mortgage rates. The 30-year fixed rate edged lower…but that was not enough to stimulate borrower demand,” Joel Kan, the MBA’s vice president and deputy chief economist, said.

“Purchase applications were essentially unchanged, as homebuyers continue to hold out for lower mortgage rates and for more listings to hit the market.”

Earlier in the year, it was predicted that rates would finally drop below 6%, which is now unlikely at this point.

“Lower rates should help to free up additional inventory as the lock-in effect is reduced, but we expect that will only take place gradually… Similarly, with rates remaining elevated, there is very little incentive right now for rate/term refinances,” Kan said.

Looking to get a mortgage? Credible can help you compare multiple mortgage lenders at once.

HOMEBUYERS GAINED THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AS MORTGAGE INTEREST RATES FALL: REDFIN

It’s cheaper to rent than buy in all 50 major metro areas in the U.S.

It’s officially become cheaper to rent than to buy in many of the country’s major metro areas. A recent report from Realtor.com revealed that a starter home is more affordable than buying one in the 50 largest metros.

In February 2024, the average monthly cost of buying a starter home was $1,027, which is 60.1% higher than the average cost of renting.

Although the rental market appears hot, the U.S. median rent declined year-over-year, according to Realtor.com. For studio to two-bedroom units, rent declined 0.4% within the top 50 metros. This is the seventh month in a row that rent has declined.

One of the top markets where it’s more affordable to rent is in Austin, Texas. The cost of buying a home in Austin averaged $3,695 per month, 141.5% more than the average monthly rent. Renting in Austin costs $1,530 per month, on average.

Seattle is another area where buying is more expensive than renting. The average cost to buy is $4,422 while the average renter pays $2,000 per month.

If you think you’re ready to shop around for a home loan, consider using Credible to help you easily compare interest rates from multiple lenders and get a pre-approval letter in minutes.

HIGH HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE RATES SCARING AWAY FLORIDA HOMEBUYERS, OTHER STATES FACE THE SAME ISSUE

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Finance

U.S.-China talks ‘stalled’ and need Trump and Xi to weigh in, Bessent says

Published

10 hours ago

May 29, 2025

Business Finance News

The U.S. and Chinese flags are seen on the day of a bilateral meeting between the U.S. and China, in Geneva, Switzerland, May 10, 2025.

Keystone/eda/martial Trezzini | Via Reuters

BEIJING — U.S.-China trade talks “are a bit stalled,” requiring the two countries’ leaders to speak directly, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox News in an interview Thursday local time.

“I believe that we will be having more talks with them in the next few weeks,” he said, adding that there may be a call between the two countries’ leaders “at some point.”

After a rapid escalation in trade tensions last month, Bessent helped the world’s two largest economies reach a breakthrough agreement in Switzerland on May 12. The countries agreed to roll back recent tariff increases of more than 100% for 90 days, or until mid-August. Diplomatic officials from both sides had a call late last week.

Still, the U.S. has pushed ahead with tech restrictions on Beijing, drawing its ire, while China has yet to significantly ease restrictions on rare earths, contrary to Washington’s expectations.

“I think that given the magnitude of the talks, given the complexity, that this is going to require both leaders to weigh in with each other,” Bessent said. “They have a very good relationship and I am confident that the Chinese will come to the table when President [Donald] Trump makes his [preferences] known.”

Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping last spoke in January, just before the U.S. president was sworn in for his second term. While Trump has in recent weeks said he would like to speak with Xi, analysts expect China to agree to that only if there’s certainty there will be no surprises from the U.S. during the call.

China has maintained communication with the U.S. since the agreement in Switzerland, Chinese Ministry of Commerce Spokesperson He Yongqian told reporters at a regular briefing Thursday.

But regarding chip export controls, she said that “China again urges the U.S. to immediately correct its wrong practices … and together safeguard the consensus reached at high-level talks in Geneva.”

That’s according to a CNBC translation of her Mandarin-language remarks.

When asked whether China would suspend rare earths’ export controls announced in early April, He did not respond directly. Restrictions on items that could be used for both military and civilian use reflect international practice, as well as China’s position of “upholding world peace and regional stability,” she said.

This week, the Trump administration also announced it would start revoking visas for Chinese students.

“The U.S. decision to revoke Chinese student visas is fully unjustified,” China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said Thursday, according to an official English transcript. “It uses ideology and national security as pretext.”