The volume of mortgage applications posted the first gain since May 5, aided by lower interest rates and the usual post-holiday week bounce. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) said its Market Composite Index increased 7.2 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from a week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the Index increased 18 percent.   The Refinance Index rose 6.0 percent week-over-week and was 41.0 percent lower than the same week one year ago. The refinance share of applications was unchanged from 27.3 percent of total applications a week earlier. [refiappschart] The Purchase Index was up a seasonally adjusted 8.0 percent and 17.0 percent before adjustment. It was 27.0 percent lower than the same week in 2022. [purchaseappschart] “Mortgage rates declined for the second straight week, with the 30-year fixed rate decreasing to 6.77 percent. Mortgage applications were up over the week, but remained well below levels from a year ago,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist. “Rates that are still more than a percentage point higher than a year ago, and low for-sale inventory continue to constrain homebuying activity in many markets. The average loan size on a purchase loan decreased for the third straight week, as we continue to see more first-time homebuyer activity in the purchase market.  Added Kan, “Refinance applications accounted for less than a third of all applications and remained more than 40 percent behind last year’s pace. Elevated rates have reduced the benefit of a rate/term refinance for many borrowers and continue to discourage cash-out refinances as borrowers are unwilling to give up their lower rates.”