Real estate purchases rise

Despite interest rates inching higher, mortgage purchases jumped 2.1 percent last week on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's weekly survey.

The MBA seasonally adjusted purchase index increased by 2.3 percent to 423.5 from 413.9 the previous week. The seasonally adjusted refinance index increased by 1.9 percent to 3,361.9 from 3,298.3 one week earlier.

The refinance share of mortgage activity decreased to 55.7 percent of total applications from 56.6 percent the previous week. The adjustable-rate-mortgage share of activity remained at 27.1 percent.

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages increased to 5.49 percent from 5.46 percent one week earlier. Points including the origination fee decreased to 1.39 from 1.4 the previous week for 80 percent loan-to-value ratio loans. 

The average contract interest rate for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages increased to 4.79 percent from 4.78 percent one week earlier. Points including the origination fee increased to 1.35 from 1.32 the previous week for 80 percent loan-to-value ratio loans. 

The average contract interest rate for one-year adjustable-rate mortgages increased to 3.36 percent from 3.27 percent one week earlier. Points including the origination fee decreased to 0.97 from 1 the previous week for 80 percent loan-to-value ratio loans. 

Washington, D.C.-based Mortgage Bankers Association is a national association representing the real estate finance industry.

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