Freddie Mac: Fixed Mortgage Rates Highest They Have Been Since September

Jan 24 - Freddie Mac (OTCBB: FMCC) has released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey, showing fixed mortgage rates moving higher from the previous week. The 30-year fixed averaged 3.42 percent, its highest reading since Sept. 29, 2012. Regardless, fixed-mortgage rates still remain highly affordable near their all-time record lows, and should continue to aid in the ongoing housing recovery.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.42 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending January 24, 2013, up from last week when it averaged 3.38 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 3.98 percent.

The 15-year FRM this week averaged 2.71 percent with an average 0.7 point, up from last week when it averaged 2.66 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 3.24 percent.

The 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage averaged 2.67 percent this week with an average 0.5 point, the same as last week. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 2.85 percent.

The 1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 2.57 percent this week with an average 0.5 point, the same as last week. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 2.74 percent.

Average commitment rates should be reported along with average fees and points to reflect the total upfront cost of obtaining the mortgage. Visit the following links for Regional and National Mortgage Rate Details and Definitions. Borrowers may still pay closing costs which are not included in the survey.

"Fixed mortgage rates were up slightly over the holiday week but remain highly affordable and should continue to aid in the ongoing housing recovery," said Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, Freddie Mac. "For instance, existing home sales totaled 4.65 million in 2012, showing a 9.2 percent increase over 2011 and the strongest pace in five years. In addition, the Federal Housing Finance Agency's purchase-only house price index rose 5.7 percent over the 12 months ending in November 2012, marking the largest annual increase since June 2006."