Home Mortgage Applications Surge 12%

Posted: April 22, 2026 | Source: www.homes.com

After a sluggish start to the spring home buying season, borrower demand is beginning to pick up.
According to data released on Wednesday, the index used by the Mortgage Bankers Association to gauge borrower demand rose 7.9% during the week that concluded on Friday. After a month of weaker activity in March, demand is now up for the second consecutive week.

Both the purchase and refinance markets were strong, which contributed to the overall gain. Refinance applications increased by 53% over the same period last year and by 6% over the preceding week. Purchase applications rose 12% during the week and were 14% higher than at this time in 2025, indicating that home buyers had also returned to the market. Mortgage rates have decreased from their peak in March.