
Mortgage refinancing is seeing a significant surge in activity, with a 30% increase in refinancing applications in the past month alone. This is the largest increase since 2020.
The main driver behind this surge is the drop in interest rates, which has made refinancing a more attractive option for homeowners. With rates falling to historic lows, many homeowners are taking advantage of the opportunity to lower their monthly mortgage payments.
The average borrower is saving around $150 per month on their mortgage payments, thanks to the refinancing process. This can add up to a significant amount over the course of a year.
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Refinancing Trends
Mortgage refinance demand surged 27% week to week, and was 42% higher than the same week one year ago. This is a significant increase, likely due to the fact that most borrowers have mortgages with rates well below the current average of 6.67%.
The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances has decreased to 6.67% from 6.69%. This is the third straight weekly decline.
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Applications to refinance a home loan are now 46.8% of total applications, up from 38.7% the previous week. This shows that refinancing is becoming a more popular option for homeowners.
Mortgage rates have dropped significantly, with the 15-year fixed mortgage rate now at 5.96%, the lowest since May of last year. This is a great opportunity for homeowners to refinance and save money.
Here are some key refinancing trends to keep in mind:
Overall, the current refinancing trends suggest that now is a great time to consider refinancing your home loan. With interest rates dropping and refinancing demand surging, it's an opportunity that shouldn't be missed.
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Interest Rate Impact
The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances decreased to 6.67% from 6.69%.
This drop in interest rates is a significant factor in the surge in mortgage refinances. With interest rates now 40 basis points lower than they were the same week one year ago, many homeowners are looking for ways to save.
Mortgage rates fell for the third straight week, with points also decreasing to 0.66 from 0.67.
This decrease in interest rates has had a noticeable impact on mortgage demand, with refinances leading the way.
Here's a breakdown of the impact on mortgage demand:
The refinance share of mortgage activity increased to 46.8% of total applications from 38.7% the previous week.
Refinancing Statistics
Mortgage refinancing demand surged 27% week to week, and was 42% higher than the same week one year ago.
The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($766,550 or less) decreased to 6.67% from 6.69%. This was the third straight weekly decline.
Applications to refinance a home loan surged 27% week to week, with the refinance share of mortgage activity increasing to 46.8% of total applications from 38.7% the previous week.
More than a fifth of all mortgages have interest rates at or above 5%, with 14.3% of mortgages at or above 6%. Approximately 60% of those loans were originated in the last two years.
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Over 7 million borrowers can potentially refinance if interest rates fall to 5.5%, and over 5 million of these refi candidates got their mortgages in the past three years.
Here are some key statistics on the current state of refinancing:
Refinancing Insights
Mortgage refinancing demand is on the rise, and it's not hard to see why. With interest rates dropping for the third straight week, homeowners are looking for ways to save on their mortgage payments. The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($766,550 or less) decreased to 6.67%, making it an attractive time to refinance.
Applications to refinance a home loan surged 27% week to week and were 42% higher than the same week one year ago. This is a significant increase, and it's likely because the base volume is still relatively small. Most borrowers today have mortgages with rates well below what is now being offered.
The refinance share of mortgage activity increased to 46.8% of total applications from 38.7% the previous week. This indicates that a growing number of homeowners are taking advantage of the lower interest rates to refinance their mortgages.
According to data from ICE Mortgage Technology, about 2.5 million borrowers could already refinance and save at least 75 basis points (0.75%) on their interest rate if interest rates fall to 6.5%. This could result in a $200 monthly savings on a $400,000 loan with a similar term.
Here's a breakdown of the potential refinancing opportunities:
It's worth noting that nearly 60% of the 50.8 million active mortgages have interest rates below 4%, but more than a fifth of all mortgages have interest rates at or above 5%, with 14.3% of mortgages at or above 6%. This means that many homeowners may be able to refinance and get more affordable payments.
Future Refinancing
As interest rates continue to fall, millions of borrowers may be able to refinance and get more affordable payments.
According to data from ICE Mortgage Technology, about 2.5 million borrowers could already refinance and save at least 75 basis points (0.75%) on their interest rate if interest rates eased down to 6.5%. This would result in a $200 monthly savings on a $400,000 loan with a similar term.
The mortgage market is characterized by two very different groups. Nearly 60% of the 50.8 million active mortgages have interest rates below 4%, but more than a fifth of all mortgages have interest rates at or above 5%, with 14.3% of mortgages at or above 6%.
More than 7 million borrowers can potentially refinance if interest rates fall to 5.5%, and over 5 million of these refi candidates got their mortgages in the past three years.
Here's a breakdown of the potential refinancing opportunities:
Keep in mind that the majority of these loans were originated in the last two years, making refinancing a more viable option for many homeowners.
Next Steps
Mortgage refinancing is on the rise, and it's a great time to consider making a change. Experts agree that mortgage rates likely won't go back to the levels of a few years ago.
If you're thinking of refinancing, you'll want to act soon, as rates are currently low. This is the lowest refinancing activity since 2020, with many homeowners taking advantage of the opportunity.
To make the most of this situation, it's essential to understand what you can do with your current mortgage. You can use the savings from refinancing to pay off high-interest debt, make home improvements, or even save for a down payment on a future home.
The key is to act quickly, as rates are unlikely to stay low forever. Mortgage rates are affected by many factors, so it's hard to predict exactly where they'll go from here.
For your interest: Mortgage Refinancing Activity Rises as Rates Drop.
Sources
- https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/11/mortgage-refinance-demand-surges-27percent-as-interest-rates-drop-for-the-third-straight-week.html
- https://www.ocregister.com/2024/08/14/us-mortgage-refinancing-surges-by-most-since-2020-on-lower-rates/
- https://spectrumlocalnews.com/mo/st-louis/ap-top-news/2020/07/16/home-loan-refinancing-surges-as-mortgage-rates-hit-new-lows
- https://www.consumerfinance.gov/data-research/research-reports/data-spotlight-the-impact-of-changing-mortgage-interest-rates/
- https://www.npr.org/2024/10/18/g-s1-28576/mortgage-rates-housing-market-home-buying-selling
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