Mortgage applications for U.S. homes increased last week for 3rd week in a row, helped by renewed demand for refinancing, data from an industry group showed on Wednesday.
The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBAs) reports its seasonally adjusted mortgage application activity index, which includes both mortgage refinancing and home buying demand, was up 5 percent in the week ended April 19. The number of home purchases increased by 3.9 percent to reach the highest levels since May of 2010, while the refinance index increased by 5.2 percent.
The number of mortgage applicants seeking refinancing was little changed at 75 percent versus 74.9 percent last week.
According to MBA the survey covers over 75 percent of U.S. retail residential mortgage applications.