US Fixed Mortgage Rates Change Little

Location: McLean
Author: Eileen Fitzpatrick
Date: Friday, October 28, 2011

Freddie Mac (OTC: FMCC) yesterday released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS), showing average fixed mortgage rates changing little for the second consecutive week amid mixed consumer confidence and housing data. Fixed mortgage rates remain near their 60-year lows.

News Facts

  • 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.10 percent with an average 0.8 point for the week ending October 27, 2011, down from last week when it averaged 4.11 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.23 percent.  
  • 15-year FRM this week averaged 3.38 percent with an average 0.7 point, the same as last week when it averaged 3.38 percent.A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 3.66 percent.  
  • 1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 2.90 percent this week with an average 0.6 point, down from last week when it averaged 2.94 percent. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 3.30 percent.  

Average commitment rates should be reported along with average fees and points to reflect the total cost of obtaining the mortgage. Visit the following links for Regional and National Mortgage Rate Details and Definitions.

Quotes

Attributed to Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, Freddie Mac.

  • "Fixed mortgage rates followed other long-term interest rates and showed little change, on average, from the prior week. The latest monthly housing market indicators were mixed, with consumer confidence soft, house prices largely flat, and new home sales up from very low levels. Consumer confidence fell below the market consensus forecast in October to the lowest reading since March 2009, according to The Conference Board. The FHFA Purchase-Only House Price Index for the U.S. declined 0.1 percent in August on a seasonally adjusted basis, while the S&P/Case-Shiller® 20-city Composite home price index rose 0.2 percent (not seasonally adjusted) between July and August, with one-half of the cities registering a dip in values. Finally, new home sales increased 5.7 percent in September to the strongest pace since April."

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