Mortgage Applications Down

Mortgage applications fell for the first time in fourwell above last year's level of 5.73%.Seasonally
weeks as demand hit the lowest level in almost threeadjusted index of refinancing applications increased
years.According to the Mortgage Bankers Associationslightly for the week, up to 1,609.2 from 1,608.5.The
weekly report, the seasonally adjusted index ofrefinancing share of total applications increased to
mortgage application activity for the week ended41.5%, up from 40.6% the week prior. This marks the
August 25 decreased 0.9%, landing nearly 23% belowhighest level since February.Fifteen-year fixed-rate
last year's level for the same week.The declinemortgages averaged a rate of 6.06%, up from 6.04%
remained consistent with the slowdown being seen inthe week prior. The one-year adjustable-rate
the housing market."We're still in the soft landing campmortgage also saw an increase, up to 5.97% from
for the housing market," explained John Shin, senior5.91%.ARMs made up 26.8% of total loan applications,
economist for Lehman Brothers. "We do see a sizablean increase from 26.4% the week prior.The MBA's
impact on the economy and expect that the slowingsurvey covers 50% of all US retail residential
housing market is going to trim roughly one percentagemortgage loans. Respondents include mortgage
point off of growth over the rest of this year and thebankers, commercial banks and thrifts.Martin Lukac
next year as well."For the sixth straight week, homerepresents and a finance web-company specializing in
refinancing demand increased as a result ofreal estate and mortgage rates. We specialize in daily
decreasing mortgage rates.Last week, the 30-yearupdates, mortgage news, rate predictions, mortgage
fixed-rate mortgage rate averaged 6.39%, well belowrates and more. Find low home loan mortgage interest
June's four-year high of 6.86%. However, they wererates from hundreds of mortgage companies!