Despite Global Economic Concerns, U.S. Mortgage Rates Remain Unchanged

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According to Freddie Mac latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS), the average fixed mortgage rate remained largely unchanged despite ongoing global growth concerns putting downward pressure on Treasury yields.

Sean Becketti, chief economist at Freddie Mac said, "In contrast to the volatility in equity markets, the 10-year Treasury rate -- a key driver of mortgage rates -- varied just a little more than 10 basis points over the last week. As a result, the 30-year mortgage rate remained virtually unchanged, dropping 1 basis point to 3.85 percent. This marks the tenth consecutive week of a sub-4-percent mortgage rate. Despite persistently low mortgage rates, the pending home sales index dropped 1.4 percent in August, suggesting possible tempering in existing home sales in September."

Freddie Mac News Facts

• 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 3.85 percent with an average 0.6 point for the week ending October 1, 2015, down from last week when it averaged 3.86 percent. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.19 percent. 

• 15-year FRM this week averaged 3.07 percent with an average 0.7 point, down from last week when it averaged 3.08 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 3.36 percent.

• 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 2.91 percent this week with an average 0.4 point, unchanged from last week. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 3.06 percent.

• 1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 2.53 percent this week with an average 0.2 point, unchanged from last week. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 2.42 percent.