This statistic shows the monthly mortgage application rate in the United States from March 9, 2018 to August 31, 2018. The volume of mortgage applications submitted fell by 0.1 percent in the last week of August 2018 compared with the previous week.

After a period of gradual decline, the average annual rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage in the United States rose to 6.81 percent in 2023, up from the record-low 2.96 percent in 2021. The rate for 15-year fixed mortgages and five-year ARM mortgages followed a similar trend. This was a result of the Federal Reserve increasing the bank rate - a measure introduced to tackle the rising inflation. U.S. home prices going through the roof Mortgage rates have a strong impact on the market – the lower the rate, the lower the loan repayment. The rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage decreasing after the Great Recession has stimulated the market and boosted home sales. Another problem consumers face is the fact that house prices are rising at an unaffordable level. The median sales price of a new home sold surged in 2021, while the median weekly earnings of a full-time employee maintained a more moderate increase. What are the differences between 15-year and 30-year mortgages? Two of the most popular loan terms available to homebuyers are the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage and the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. The 30-year option appeals to more consumers because the repayment is spread out over 30 years, meaning the monthly payments are lower. Consumers choosing the 15-year option will have to pay higher monthly payments but benefit from lower interest rates.

Mortgage Assignment & Release Data refers to information related to the assignment and release of mortgage loans. It provides valuable insights into the transfer of mortgage ownership from one party to another and the subsequent release of the mortgage lien. This data can be essential for various industries, including banking, real estate, legal services, and mortgage lending, enabling them to make informed decisions and mitigate risks associated with mortgage transactions.

What is Assignment and Release Data?

Assignment Data – Assignment data pertains to the transfer of ownership rights of a mortgage loan from one entity to another. This transfer typically occurs when a lender sells or transfers a mortgage loan to another financial institution, such as a bank, credit union, or mortgage-backed security issuer. Assignment data includes information such as the parties involved, the effective date of the assignment, and any relevant terms or conditions.

Release Data – Release data involves the release or satisfaction of a mortgage lien on a property. When a mortgage loan is fully paid off or otherwise satisfied, the lender releases the mortgage lien, allowing the property owner to have clear title. Release data provides details about the release, including the date of release, the parties involved, and any legal documentation associated with the release.

Assignment & Release Property Details:

• 15 Years of Historical Transactions
• Property Address (Where Available)
• Borrower and Ownership Details
• Original, Assignor, and Assignee Lender Name
• Original Mortgage Information

The average mortgage interest rate decreased in nearly every country in Europe between 2012 and 2021, followed by an increase in response to inflation. In Hungary, Poland, Czechia, and Romania, mortgage rates peaked in late 2022 and the beginning of 2023, followed by a gradual decline until the first quarter of 2024. The rest of the countries under observation, including the biggest mortgage markets - the UK and Germany, saw a continued increase in interest rates until the fourth quarter of 2023. In the first quarter of 2024, mortgage interest rates declined quarter-on-quarter across almost all markets in focus, marking a long awaited easing of monetary policy.

Mortgage rates in the Netherlands increased sharply in 2022 and 2023, after declining gradually between 2008 and 2021. In December 2022, the average interest rate for new mortgage loans stood at 1.65 percent, and by the end of 2023, it had risen to 4.13 percent. The 10-year interest rate was the lowest, at 2.96 percent; the floating and less than one-year interest rates amounted to 5.13 and 4.62 percent, respectively. In early 2024, mortgage rates decreased notably. Are mortgage rates in the Netherlands different from those in other European countries? When comparing this ranking to data that covers multiple European countries, the Netherlands’ mortgage rate was similar to the rates found in Spain, the United Kingdom, and Sweden. It was, however, a lot lower than the rates in Eastern Europe. Hungary and Romania, for example, had some of the highest mortgage rates. For more information on the European mortgage market and how much the countries differ from each other, please visit this dedicated research page. How big is the mortgage market in the Netherlands? The Netherlands has overall seen an increase in the number of mortgage loans sold and is regarded as one of the countries with the highest mortgage debt in Europe. The reason behind this is that Dutch homeowners were able to for many years to deduct interest paid from pre-tax income (a system known in the Netherlands as hypotheekrenteaftrek). Total mortgage debt of Dutch households has been increasing year-on-year since 2013.

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The 10-year treasury constant maturity rate in the U.S. is forecast to decline by 0.8 percent by 2026, while the 30-year fixed mortgage rate is expected to fall by 1.6 percent. From seven percent in the third quarter of 2023, the average 30-year mortgage rate is projected to reach 5.4 percent in 2026.

After a period of record-low mortgage interest rates, the cost of mortgage borrowing in Germany surged in 2022. In 2019, mortgage rates declined notably, falling as low as 1.16 percent in December 2020. This downward trend reversed in 2021, as mortgage rates started to gradually pick up. Five-to-ten-year mortgage loans had the lowest rates in October 2023 at 3.85 percent, while floating rate mortgages up to one year were the most expensive at 5.53 percent. Mortgages with over 10-year fixed period – the most popular loan type among homebuyers - had an interest rate of 3.9 percent.

Why did mortgage rates in Germany increase?

In 2022, the yearly inflation rate in Germany experienced a swift rise, prompting the central bank to raise interest rates to counter this surge. The European Central Bank (ECB) is responsible for determining Germany's central bank interest rate. In July 2022, following a prolonged period of stability, the average interest rates in Germany began a steady rise, which persisted consistently thereafter.  This increase is intended to stabilize prices, but it also means higher borrowing costs for those seeking mortgages.

Downturn in Germany's home loan borrowing

From 2022 onward, the gross residential mortgage lending in Germany fell dramatically. Besides the higher interest rates, the downturn can be explained by the slowed pace of economic growth, which makes individuals and businesses more cautious about big investments such as buying a home. Additionally, the German housing market suffers a chronic undersupply, meaning that homebuyers often struggle to find an affordable home to purchase.

The annual average interest rate on new residential loans in Latvia rose for the first time in 2022 after more than 10 years of gradual decline. In 2023, the average mortgage rate saw a significant increase to almost 5.6 percent. In 2021, the rate was at its lowest, at 2.38 percent.

Mortgage interest rates in Europe soared in 2022 and remained elevated in 2023. In many countries, this resulted in interest rates more than doubling. In Denmark, the average mortgage interest rate rose from 0.67 percent in 2021 to 4.98 percent in 2023. Why did mortgage interest rates increase? Mortgage rates have risen as a result of the European Central Bank (ECB) interest rate increase. The ECB increased its interest rates to tackle inflation. As inflation calms, the ECB is expected to cut rates, which will allow mortgage lenders to reduce mortgage interest rates. What is the impact of interest rates on homebuying? Lower interest rates make taking out a housing loan more affordable, and thus, encourage homebuying. That can be seen in many countries across Europe: In France, the number of residential properties sold rose in the years leading up to 2021, and fell as interest rates increased. The number of houses sold in the UK followed a similar trend.

Mortgage rates increased at a record pace in 2022, with the 10-year fixed mortgage rate doubling between March 2022 and December 2022. With inflation increasing, the Bank of England introduced several bank rate hikes, resulting in higher mortgage rates. In September 2023, the average 10-year fixed rate interest rate reached 5.1 percent. As borrowing costs get higher, demand for housing is expected to decrease, leading to declining market sentiment and slower house price growth. How have the mortgage hikes affected the market? After surging in 2021, the number of residential properties sold declined in 2022, reaching close to 1.3 million. Despite the number of transactions falling, this figure was higher than the period before the COVID-10 pandemic. The falling transaction volume also impacted mortgage borrowing. Between the first quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2024, the value of new mortgage loans fell year-on-year for fourth straight quarters in a row. How are higher mortgages affecting homebuyers? Homeowners with a mortgage loan usually lock in a fixed rate deal for two to ten years, meaning that after this period runs out, they need to renegotiate the terms of the loan. Many of the mortgages outstanding were taken out during the period of record-low mortgage rates and have since faced notable increases in their monthly repayment. About five million homeowners are projected to see their deal expire by the end of 2026. About two million of these loans are projected to experience a monthly payment increase of up to 199 British pounds by 2026.

The mortgage interest rate in Denmark declined overall from 1.2 percent in 2016 to 0.62 percent in 2021, followed by a dramatic increase until 2023. In the second quarter of 2024, the average weighted interest rate stood at 4.81 percent. A similar trend of interest rates escalating has been observed across all European countries.

The interest rate for new mortgages in Belgium with over ten years initial rate fixation started to decline in 2024, after reaching its peak at 3.6 percent at the end of 2023. In October 2024, it decline to 3.03 percent, which was 0.44 percent lower than the previous year. In April 2024, the outstanding number of mortgage credits in Belgium had reached over 3.3 million.

In October 2024, the interest rate for mortgages with an initial rate fixation of five and up to ten years was 3.23 percent. This mortgage rate saw a general increase since the beginning of 2022 until the end of 2023, however started to decline in 2024. Falling mortgage rates might be a reason for the value of new mortgage lending rose in 2024. As borrowing costs increase, taking out a mortgage becomes less affordable for home buyers, also leading to the mortgage market slowing down. What about housing prices in Belgium? On average, a house cost approximately 319,000 euros in Belgium in 2022. Big price differences are observed, however, among the three regions of the country. A house in the French-speaking region of Wallonia is much more expensive on average than a house in the Brussels-Capital Region (the city of Brussels with its surrounding villages). Belgium’s real estate market grows steadily Property transactions in Belgium are affected by the country’s fiscal system. When purchasing a house in Belgium, consumers pay the asking price plus ten (in Flanders) or 12 percent (in Wallonia and the Brussels-Capital Region) in registration rights. This makes buying a house in Belgium a long-term investment and something consumers do not do right away.

The mortgage interest rate in Ireland increased notably in 2023. From 2.77 percent in the fourth quarter of 2022, the rate reached 4.19 percent in the same quarter of 2023. This was part of an overall trend of increasing mortgage interest rates in Europe. Factors that influence mortgage interest rates include inflation, economic growth, monetary policies, the bond market, the stability of lenders, and the overall conditions of the housing market.

It can be seen that the mortgage interest rate in Poland increased overall during the period under observation, reaching a value of 7.2 percent as of the fourth quarter of 2023. Demand for mortgage loans in Poland      Despite the tightening of credit policy by banks, the demand for mortgage loans is not decreasing. The residential market has also seen increases both in sales and in the construction of new premises. The increase in salaries combined with the decrease in the mortgage loan cost results in Poles having no problems buying apartments despite high prices. Higher wages also affect their creditworthiness, which is essential when applying for a mortgage. The value of housing loans amounted to a record 442.7 billion zloty in 2019. Despite a decrease in 2017, the value of debt in 2019 increased by 6.6 percent compared to the previous year. The increase in wealth has also been reflected in the average value of mortgages. In 2021, Bank Millennium granted the largest number of mortgages to Poles, although Bank PKO BP was the leader in terms of value.   Demand for housing in Poland      Despite a growing number of flats, the prices are not falling, but on the contrary, they are continually rising. An increase in prices was recorded in every major city. The annual rise in prices in many cities went up between 12 and 14 percent. The most significant price increase on the primary market was recorded in Warsaw, while on the secondary market, Wroclaw prevailed. Nevertheless, Poles pay the most for a flat in the Polish capital Warsaw. In December 2023, the price per square meter of an apartment on the secondary market exceeded 17.5 thousand zloty, while the price per square meter on the primary market was close to 16.4 thousand zloty. However, the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in Poland in March 2020 affected the investment plans in the real estate market. Both individual customers and developers recorded a significant decline in the number of construction projects commenced during this period.

Black mortgage applicants had the highest denial rates in the United States between the first quarter of 2019 and the third quarter of 2023. In the third quarter of 2023, denial rates were 30 percent for Black applicants, while Hispanic applicants had the second-highest denial rates at 22.1 percent. For all races, the denial rates significantly fluctuated between 2019 and 2023.

The annual average interest rate on new residential mortgages in Slovenia increased for the third year in a row in 2023, reaching the highest rate since 2010. In 2023, the average mortgage rate for homebuyers stood at 3.96 percent, up from 1.82 percent in 2020 when mortgage rates were at their lowest point.

The Global Financial Crisis of 2008-09 was a period of severe macroeconomic instability for the United States and the global economy more generally. The crisis was precipitated by the collapse of a number of financial institutions who were deeply involved in the U.S. mortgage market and associated credit markets. Beginning in the Summer of 2007, a number of banks began to report issues with increasing mortgage delinquencies and the problem of not being able to accurately price derivatives contracts which were based on bundles of these U.S. residential mortgages. By the end of 2008, U.S. financial institutions had begun to fail due to their exposure to the housing market, leading to one of the deepest recessions in the history of the United States and to extensive government bailouts of the financial sector.

Subprime and the collapse of the U.S. mortgage market

The early 2000s had seen explosive growth in the U.S. mortgage market, as credit became cheaper due to the Federal Reserve's decision to lower interest rates in the aftermath of the 2001 'Dot Com' Crash, as well as because of the increasing globalization of financial flows which directed funds into U.S. financial markets. Lower mortgage rates gave incentive to financial institutions to begin lending to riskier borrowers, using so-called 'subprime' loans. These were loans to borrowers with poor credit scores, who would not have met the requirements for a conventional mortgage loan. In order to hedge against the risk of these riskier loans, financial institutions began to use complex financial instruments known as derivatives, which bundled mortgage loans together and allowed the risk of default to be sold on to willing investors. This practice was supposed to remove the risk from these loans, by effectively allowing credit institutions to buy insurance against delinquencies. Due to the fraudulent practices of credit ratings agencies, however, the price of these contacts did not reflect the real risk of the loans involved. As the reality of the inability of the borrowers to repay began to kick in during 2007, the financial markets which traded these derivatives came under increasing stress and eventually led to a 'sudden stop' in trading and credit intermediation during 2008.

Market Panic and The Great Recession

As borrowers failed to make repayments, this had a knock-on effect among financial institutions who were highly leveraged with financial instruments based on the mortgage market. Lehman Brothers, one of the world's largest investment banks, failed on September 15th 2008, causing widespread panic in financial markets. Due to the fear of an unprecedented collapse in the financial sector which would have untold consequences for the wider economy, the U.S. government and central bank, The Fed, intervened the following day to bailout the United States' largest insurance company, AIG, and to backstop financial markets. The crisis prompted a deep recession, known colloquially as The Great Recession, drawing parallels between this period and The Great Depression. The collapse of credit intermediation in the economy lead to further issues in the real economy, as business were increasingly unable to pay back loans and were forced to lay off staff, driving unemployment to a high of almost 10 percent in 2010. While there has been criticism of the U.S. government's actions to bailout the financial institutions involved, the actions of the government and the Fed are seen by many as having prevented the crisis from spiraling into a depression of the magnitude of The Great Depression.

The U.S. bank prime loan rate has undergone significant fluctuations over the past three decades, reflecting broader economic trends and monetary policy decisions. From a high of 10.1 percent in 1990, the rate has seen periods of decline, stability, and recent increases. As of February 2025, the prime rate stood at 7.5 percent, marking a notable rise from the historic lows seen in the early 2020s. Federal Reserve's impact on lending rates The prime rate's trajectory closely mirrors changes in the federal funds rate, which serves as a key benchmark for the U.S. financial system. In 2023, the Federal Reserve implemented a series of rate hikes, pushing the federal funds target range to 5.25-5.5 percent by year-end. This aggressive monetary tightening was aimed at combating rising inflation, and its effects rippled through various lending rates, including the prime rate. Long-term investment outlook While short-term rates have risen, long-term investment yields have also seen changes. The 10-year U.S. Treasury bond, a benchmark for long-term interest rates, showed an average market yield of 2.13 percent in the second quarter of 2024, adjusted for constant maturity and inflation. This figure represents a recovery from negative real returns seen in 2021, reflecting shifting expectations for economic growth and inflation. The evolving yield environment has implications for both borrowers and investors, influencing decisions across the financial landscape.