Freddie Mac: 15-Year Fixed Falls Below 3%, 30-Year Fixed Hits New Low

Following lower bond yields, the 15-year fixed fell below 3 percent, while the 30-year fixed set a new record-low as well, according to ""Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey"":http://www.freddiemac.com/pmms/.

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The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped to 3.75 percent (0.8 point) for the week ending May 31. Last week, it averaged 3.78 percent, and last year, it was 4.55 percent.

The 15-year fixed slid into new territory, averaging 2.97 percent (0.7 point), down from 3.04 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year fixed stood at 3.74 percent.

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The 5-year ARM averaged 2.84 percent (0.6 point), up from last week's average of 2.83 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 3.41 percent.

The 1-year ARM remained unchanged from last week at 2.75 percent (0.4 point). The previous year, it averaged 3.13 percent.

Frank Nothaft, VP and chief economist for Freddie Mac, pointed to market concerns over the Eurozone, which led to a decline in long-term Treasury bond yields, as one reason for the drop in fixed rates.

""Compared to a year ago, rates on 30-year fixed mortgage rates are almost 0.9 percentage points lower which translates into nearly $1,200 less in annual payments on a $200,000 loan,"" said Nothaft.

""Bankrate.com"":http://www.bankrate.com/ also reported record-lows for fixed rates.

The 30-year fixed dropped to a new low of 3.94 percent, down from 3.97 percent last week. The 15-year fixed averaged 3.15 percent, also a record low. Last week, it was 3.19 percent.

The 5-year ARM slipped from 3.02 percent last week to 3.01 percent this week.

Bankrate's national weekly mortgage survey includes data from the top 10 banks and thrifts in the top 10 markets.