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Bank failures may be the catalyst for an economic recession 

Housing Wire

Fannie Mae has projected that the recent bank failures may act as the catalyst that tips an already precarious economy into a recession — primarily due to the combination of tighter lending standards by small- and mid-sized regional banks.

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Trapped by design: Why America’s housing market is stuck — and what the rest of the world can teach us

Housing Wire

Existing home sales have hit multi-decade lows. Banks and credit unionsmany of which depend on mortgage activity to fuel lending, gather deposits, and generate fee incomeare facing an extended drought. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is a cornerstone of American housing finance, but it wasnt built for flexibility.

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Opinion: The Fed broke the banks. What’s next for mortgage?

Housing Wire

It is often said that the Fed raises interest rates until something breaks. Many have already pointed to the failures of Silicon Valley Bank , Silvergate Bank , and Signature Bank as evidence that the Fed “finally broke something.” In 2021, mortgage originations hit a record high of $4.4 trillion in 2023.

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Mortgage rates dip slightly to 2.86%

Housing Wire

The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage declined slightly to 2.86% for the week ending in August 19, according to mortgage rates data released Thursday by Freddie Mac ‘s PMMS. The week prior, mortgage rates rose to 2.87% , after six consecutive weeks of mortgage rate declines.

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Mortgage rates climb to 3.09%

Housing Wire

The average 30-year-fixed rate mortgage climbed to 3.09% during the week ending Oct. 21, rising from 3.05% the week prior, according to the latest Freddie Mac PMMS Mortgage Survey. A year ago, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 2.80%. Mortgage application activity dropped 6.3%

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Low inventory a challenge to housing market as rates decline 

Housing Wire

But while rates have dropped, the housing market has continued to be challenged by low inventory levels. The survey shows the same rate was 4.67% a year ago. “Spring sellers should start getting their home ready for sale, keeping in mind that it took longer than expected to prep.” ” Surging rates ahead?

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Mortgage rates dip to 6.6% to mark the lowest level since May 2023

Housing Wire

Mortgage rates continued their descent this week to mark their lowest level since May 2023, welcome news for homebuyers who have been waiting on the sidelines for rates to drop. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.6% by the end of 2024 from the current federal funds rate range of 5.25%-5.5%.