Mortgage Rates Back To May 2007 Levels
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Mortgage rates fell last week to their lowest point in nearly
six months according to the results of Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market
Survey for the week ended November 1.
The average rate for the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) dropped to 6.26
percent with an average 0.4 point from the average the previous week of 6.33
percent with 0.5 point. This was the lowest average rate for the 30-year FRM
since the week ended May 17 when it averaged 6.21 percent. One year ago this
product carried an average rate of 6.31.
The 15-year FRM was down eight basis points to 5.91 percent with an average
0.4 point, a decrease of 0.2 point from the week ended October 25. This was
the lowest rate for the 15-year FRM since the week ended May 10 when the average
was 5.87 percent. One year ago the average was 6.02 percent.
The five-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable rate mortgage
(ARM) averaged 5.98 percent with 0.4 point compared to the previous week when
it averaged 6.03 percent with 0.5 point. This is the lowest rate for this category
of loan since May 17 when the average was 5.92 percent.
The one-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 5.57 percent, nine basis points
lower than a week earlier. The average point was unchanged at 0.6. This rate
tied with the last low that was recorded during the week ended May 31.
"October's consumer confidence fell to its lowest level since October
2005 as mortgage rates continued to decline this week to their lowest level
in almost six months," said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac
vice president and chief economist. "Continued market concerns about weaker
economic growth and further declines in the housing market have kept mortgage
rates low over the last few weeks.
"Although the third quarter gain in real gross domestic product (GDP)
of 3.9 percent was stronger than market forecasts, the housing market has subtracted
from GDP growth over the past twenty-one months ending in September. In its
most recent policy announcement, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) noted
that the rate of expansion in the economy will most likely slow in the near
term, due in part to a reflection of the intensity of the housing correction."
The survey of lenders conducted weekly by the Mortgage Bankers Association
(MBA) showed a very slight increase in average rates for two of the three categories
of loans it tracks.
The 30-year fixed rate mortgage had an average contract interest rate of 6.16
percent compared to 6.15 percent a week earlier. Fees and points, including
the origination fee, increased to 1.08 from 1.05.
The average rate for the 15-year FRM decreased from 5.79 percent to 5.77 percent
with fees and points unchanged at 1.10.
The one-year ARM also increased one basis point to 5.94 percent with points
decreasing to 0.9 from 0.93.
All MBA figures are for 80 percent loan to value originations.
Mortgage loan applications decreased 1.6 percent on a seasonally
adjusted basis from a week earlier and 2.4 percent on an unadjusted basis. Application
volume was 8 percent higher than that recorded during the same week in 2006.
Applications to refinance represented 49.1 percent of all mortgage applications
compared to 49.6 percent a week earlier while the market share of adjustable
rate mortgages decreased to 14.2 percent from 14.7 percent.
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