Another Record Low Set by Fixed Rate Mortgages in U.S.

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According to Freddie Mac latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS), average U.S. fixed mortgage rates continuing to find new all-time record lows amid easing bond yields following June's lackluster employment report. Both the average 30-year and 15-year fixed-rate mortgage hit new lows. The average 30-year fixed has been below 4.00 percent for 16 weeks. The average 15-year fixed has been below 3.00 percent for 7 weeks.

Freddie Mac's chief economist Frank Nothaft tells World Property Channel, "Following a lackluster employment report for June, long-term U.S. Treasury bond yields eased somewhat this week allowing fixed mortgage rates to reach yet another record low. Only 80,000 net new jobs were added to the economy last month, not enough to lower the unemployment rate from 8.2 percent. This was the concern of the Federal Reserve's monetary policy meeting held June 19-20. Minutes released from that meeting on July 11, revealed that a few members felt further monetary stimulus was needed to promote satisfactory growth in employment to meet the Committee's goal."

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 3.56 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending July 12, 2012, down from last week when it averaged 3.62 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.51 percent.

15-year FRM this week averaged 2.86 percent with an average 0.7 point, down from last week when it averaged 2.89 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 3.65 percent.

The 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 2.74 percent this week, with an average 0.6 point, down from last week when it averaged 2.79 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 3.29 percent.

1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 2.69 percent this week with an average 0.4 point, up from last week when it averaged 2.68 percent. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 2.95 percent.