Mortgage Rates Remain Historically Low, Says Freddie Mac

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According to Freddie Mac's (NYSE:FRE) latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS), the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.72 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending June 10, 2010. This is a slight dip from last week's rate of 4.79 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.59 percent.

The 15-year FRM this week averaged 4.17 percent with an average 0.7 point, down from last week when it averaged 4.20 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.06 percent. The 15-year FRM has not been lower since Freddie Mac started tracking the 15-year FRM in August of 1991 and sets another record low for the fourth straight week.

The 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 3.92 percent this week, with an average 0.7 point, down from last week when it averaged 3.94 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 5.17 percent.

The 1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 3.91 percent this week with an average 0.6 point, down from last week when it averaged 3.95 percent. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 5.04 percent. The 1-year ARM has not been lower since the week ending May 27, 2004 when it averaged 3.87 percent.

"Following a relatively weak employment report, bond yields fell this week and mortgage rates followed," said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist. "Private payrolls rose by 41,000 jobs in May, less than a quarter of the market forecast consensus of an 180,000 gain. Interest rates on 30-year fixed mortgage hover near the record low set on December 3, 2009 in our survey; the Primary Mortgage Market Survey began in April 1971. Meanwhile, rates on 15-year fixed mortgages set another record low for the fourth week in a row.

"Overall, the economy does show signs of improvement. The Federal Reserve reported in its June 9th regional economic review that the economy strengthened in all 12 of its Districts over April and May. It also noted that loan quality was stable or improving in most Districts, but remained an issue for banks with large exposure to real estate."

Freddie Mac was established by Congress in 1970 to provide liquidity, stability and affordability to the nation's residential mortgage markets. Freddie Mac supports communities across the nation by providing mortgage capital to lenders. Over the years, Freddie Mac has made home possible for one in six homebuyers and more than five million renters.



Freddie Mac defines its regions as follows:

Northeast: NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD, DC, VA, WV, ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT
Southeast: NC, SC, TN, KY, GA, AL, FL, MS, PR, VI
North Central: OH, IN, IL, MI, WI, MN, IA, ND, SD
Southwest: TX, LA, NM, OK, AR, MO, KS, CO, NE, WY
West: CA, AZ, NV, OR, WA, UT, ID, MT, HI, AK, GU

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