The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reported that applications for a mortgage refinance rose by 26.4 percent during the week ending January 13, 2012 compared to the previous week.

The MBA’s Refinance Index reached the highest level since August 8, 2011 and the refinance share of mortgage applications rose to 82.2 percent.

“Interest rates dropped last week due to continuing anxieties regarding the fragile economic situation in Europe,” said Michael Fratantoni, MBA’s vice president of research and economics.  “With mortgage rates reaching new lows, refinance volume jumped and MBA’s refinance index reached its highest level in the last six months.”

According to HSH.com, the average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate home loan was 4.19 percent. Mortgage rates

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