WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Mortgage activity resumed a downward trend after a week of increases, a banking trade group said Wednesday.
The Mortgage Bankers Association said mortgage activity fell 4.7 percent in the week that ended Friday.
Prior to the latest report, mortgage activity had declined for seven out of the past eight weeks.
Refinancing activity dropped 4 percent int he week, the MBA said.
Interest rates were broadly lower. For 30-year, fixed-rate loans with balances under $417,500, the average rate fell from 4.61 to 4.56 with points dropping from 0.42 to 0.39.
Interest rates for loans under $417,500 -- known as conforming loans -- backed by the Federal Housing Administration fell from 4.33 percent to 4.25 percent with points rising from 0.26 to 0.3.
Average interest rates on 30-year fixed-rate jumbo loans with balances above $417,500 declined from 4.64 percent to 4.57 percent. Average points for jumbo loans fell from 0.34 to 0.25.
The average interest rate for 15-year, fixed-rate loans fell from 3.66 percent to 3.6 percent with points falling from 0.43 to 0.35.
For short-term adjustable rate loans, the average interest rate fell from 3.39 percent to 3.36 percent with points holding steady at 0.37.
