Fixed Rate Mortgages in U.S. Hit Record Lows, Second Consecutive Week

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According to Freddie Mac's latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS), showed the average fixed mortgage rate hit a new all-time record low for the second consecutive week as they followed bond yields lower. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has averaged below 4 percent all but one week since December 8, 2011, helping to keep homebuyer affordability high.

Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist of Freddie Mac said, "Following April's weaker than expected employment report, and the French and Greek election results raising concerns over the stability of the Eurozone debt crisis, long-term Treasury bond yields declined allowing fixed mortgage rates to ease to new all-time record lows this week. The economy added just 115,000 jobs, below the market consensus forecast and less than in March. And although the unemployment rate declined, it reflected fewer people actively seeking jobs."

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 3.83 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending May 10, 2012, down from last week when it averaged 3.84 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.63 percent.

15-year FRM this week averaged 3.05 percent with an average 0.7 point, down from last week when it averaged 3.07 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 3.82 percent.

The 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 2.81 percent this week, with an average 0.5 point, down from last week when it averaged 2.85 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 3.41 percent.

1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 2.73 percent this week with an average 0.5 point, up from last week when it averaged 2.70 percent. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 3.11 percent.