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Based on the Mortgage Bankers Association’s latest Builder Application Survey data for April 2022, U.S. mortgage applications for new home purchases decreased 10.6 percent compared to a year ago. Compared to March 2022, applications decreased by 14 percent. This change does not include any adjustment for typical seasonal patterns.

“New home purchase activity declined on a monthly and annual basis in April, as the spike in mortgage rates cooled demand, and homebuilders continued to grapple with rising costs, supply-chain issues, and extended completion timelines,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s Associate Vice President of Economic and Industry Forecasting. “With the supply of existing homes on the market still at extremely low levels, the new home market is an important source of housing supply. However, the pace of construction has slowed in recent months. MBA’s estimate of new home sales declined for the fifth consecutive month to 701,000 units, the slowest sales pace since May 2020.”