ARMs Hit New Record Lows in U.S. as 30-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage Average 3.98%

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Based on Freddie Mac's latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS), fixed mortgage rates changing little and remaining near their historic lows while adjustable-rate mortgages averaged new record lows. The 30-year fixed has averaged at or below 4 percent for the fourth consecutive week.

Frank Nothaft, chief economist of Freddie Mac said, "Mortgage rates eased slightly this week with fixed-rate loans hovering above all-time lows and ARMs reaching a new nadir.  The high-degree of home-buyer affordability in recent months translated into a 1.4 percent pickup in existing home sales during October, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). The NAR also reported that contract cancellations were up in October as well, which restrained sales from achieving a stronger rebound."

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 3.98 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending November 23, 2011, down from last week when it averaged 4.00 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.40 percent.

15-year FRM this week averaged 3.30 percent with an average 0.7 point, down from last week when it averaged 3.31 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 3.77 percent.

The 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 2.91 percent this week, with an average 0.6 point, down from last week when it averaged 2.97 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 3.45 percent.

1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 2.79 percent this week with an average 0.6 point, down from last week when it averaged 2.98 percent. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 3.23 percent.

Nothaft further commented, "The Bureau of Economic Analysis revised third quarter GDP growth downward from an initial estimate of 2.5 percent to 2.0 percent. In addition, the Federal Reserve announced weaker business activity for November in its Philadelphia and Chicago districts."

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