The volume of mortgage applications fell last week despite a steady average rate on the commonly used 30-year fixed mortgage.
A large drop in refinances pushed the overall volume lower, but applications to purchase a home rose 3 percent from the previous week, on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). Purchase applications, however, are still down 14 percent from a year ago, when mortgage rates were a full percentage point lower.
Refinance activity has been falling steadily since the rate rise early last summer. Applications to refinance fell 5 percent last week from the previous week and are now at their lowest level since the end of 2013. The average contract rate on the 30-year fixed conforming mortgage held steady last week at 4.56 percent.