Tag Archives: Mortgage Rates

Fixed mortgage rates have dropped for the fifth consecutive week to put them at their lowest point of the year. The declines continue despite reports of mixed economic and housing data. Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs), on the other hand, increased for the first time in over a month. Freddie Mac reports that 30-year fixed mortgage rates are now averaging 4.61 percent, while the 15-year rate is at 3.80 percent.

Mortgage rates have fallen to their lowest mark in 2011 after declining for the fourth consecutive week, further reducing the costs associated with taking out a home loan. Freddie Mac says the 30-year fixed-rate is now averaging 4.63 percent, while the 15-year rate is at 3.82 percent. ARM rates also headed lower. Economists say the continued fall in home loan rates make a mortgage cheaper than renting.

Interest rates on home loans have dropped across the board for the third consecutive week. Freddie Mac reports that the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage this week slipped enough to match its lowest mark in 2011 at 4.71 percent, while the 15-year rate fell to 3.89 percent, a new yearly low.

Mortgage interest rates have retreated for the second week in a row, according to a market report released Thursday by Freddie Mac. Frank Nothaft, the GSE's chief economist, says rates followed Treasury bond yields lower this week amid weak economic data on local business conditions and another disappointing home price report. The 30-year fixed-rate stands at 4.78 percent; the 15-year fixed at 3.97 percent, its lowest mark since December 9, 2010.

The Federal Reserve will end its second bond-buying spree - this time to the tune of $600 billion - by the end of the second quarter as planned. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke says the sunset of the central bank's targeted initiative for pumping money into the economy is ""unlikely to have a significant effect"" on mortgage rates. That was Bernanke's response during the hour-long press conference held Wednesday after the Fed's two-day policy meeting - the first press briefing held by a U.S. central bank commander in the institution's 96-year history.

The New Democratic Coalition has added the nation's housing finance system to its list of things to ""modernize."" They've outlined principles for following through with the wind-down of Fannie and Freddie while maintaining a limited government role to ensure access to the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. But the debate is intense over whether the 30-year mortgage should stick around. With or without it, one research group says the numbers prove government guarantees aren't necessary to entice private investors.

Interest rates on home loans have headed lower, after four straight weeks of increases. Data released by Freddie Mac Thursday shows the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.80 percent for the week ending April 21, 2011. The 15-year rate came in at 4.02 percent, and adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) also declined.

Freddie Mac forecasts a 5 percent increase in 2011 home sales over 2010, according to its U.S. Economic and Housing Market Outlook for April. The expected pick-up in home sales is due to recent positive employment reports, including gains in the real estate sector. The GSE's outlook also contends that refinancing will likely account for a smaller share of loan applications later this year as wealthy borrowers decrease and mortgage rates increase.

Interest rates on home loans headed higher this week, marking the fourth consecutive increase recorded. Still, rates remain extremely low by historical standards - a selling point market players hope will buoy activity as we move into the spring home buying season. Freddie Mac reports that rates on a 30-year mortgage are now averaging 4.91 percent, while the 15-year rate came in at 4.13 percent. Adjustable-rate mortgages are also slowly increasing.

Mortgage interest rates across the board edged higher this week, marking the second consecutive reporting period that they've increased. Data released by Freddie Mac Thursday shows that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose 5 basis points in one week's time to 4.86 percent. The 15-year rate came in at 4.09 percent, and adjustable-rate mortgages also increased.