by Calculated Risk on 9/22/2010 07:12:00 AM

The MBA reports: Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey

The Refinance Index decreased 0.9 percent from the previous week, which is the third straight weekly decrease. The seasonally adjusted Purchase Index decreased 3.3 percent from one week earlier.
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The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages decreased to 4.44 percent from 4.47 percent, with points decreasing to 0.81 from 1.08 (including the origination fee) for 80 percent loan-to-value (LTV) ratio loans.

Click on graph for larger image in new window.

This graph shows the MBA Purchase Index and four week moving average since 1990.

Purchase applications have declined for two consecutive weeks after rising slightly from the lows in July. Purchase applications are at about the levels of 1996 or 1997, suggesting existing home sales (closed transactions) in August, September and even October, will be weak. (Lawler's estimate is existing home sales will be around 4.1 million SAAR in August - to be reported Thursday)