Fixed Mortgage Rates in U.S. Remain Flat This Week

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Based on Freddie Mac's latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS), average fixed mortgage rates changing little for the second consecutive week amid mixed consumer confidence and housing data. Fixed mortgage rates remain near their 60-year lows.

Freddie Mac's chief economist Frank Nothaft tells the World Property Channel, "Fixed mortgage rates followed other long-term interest rates and showed little change, on average, from the prior week. The latest monthly housing market indicators were mixed, with consumer confidence soft, house prices largely flat, and new home sales up from very low levels. Consumer confidence fell below the market consensus forecast in October to the lowest reading since March 2009, according to The Conference Board. The FHFA Purchase-Only House Price Index for the U.S. declined 0.1 percent in August on a seasonally adjusted basis, while the S&P/Case-Shiller 20-city Composite home price index rose 0.2 percent (not seasonally adjusted) between July and August, with one-half of the cities registering a dip in values. Finally, new home sales increased 5.7 percent in September to the strongest pace since April."

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.10 percent with an average 0.8 point for the week ending October 27, 2011, down from last week when it averaged 4.11 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.23 percent.

15-year FRM this week averaged 3.38 percent with an average 0.7 point, the same as last week when it averaged 3.38 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 3.66 percent.

The 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 3.08 percent this week, with an average 0.5 point, up from last week when it also averaged 3.01 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 3.41 percent.

1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 2.90 percent this week with an average 0.6 point, down from last week when it averaged 2.94 percent. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 3.30 percent. 

 

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