by Calculated Risk on 1/11/2012 08:20:00 AM

From the MBA: Mortgage Applications Increase in Latest MBA Weekly Survey

Mortgage applications increased 4.5 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association's (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending January 6, 2012. The results include an adjustment to account for the New Year's Day holiday.
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The Refinance Index increased 3.3 percent from the previous week. The seasonally adjusted Purchase Index increased 8.1 percent from one week earlier. ...

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($417,500 or less) increased to 4.11 percent from 4.07 percent ...

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with jumbo loan balances (greater than $417,500) decreased to 4.34 percent from 4.41 percent ...

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

Click on graph for larger image.

The purchase index increased last week, and the 4-week average decreased slightly. This index has mostly been sideways for the last 2 years - and at about the same level as in 1997.