Freddie Mac Survey Finds Mortgage Rates Back To Record Lows

Sept 20 - Freddie Mac (OTC: FMCC) has released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey, showing fixed mortgage rates at or near their all-time record lows helping to keep homebuyer affordability high. The average 30-year fixed rate mortgage matched its all-time record low at 3.49 percent, and the average 15-year fixed fell to a new all-time record low at 2.77 percent.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.49 percent with an average 0.6 point for the week ending September 20, 2012, down from last week when it averaged 3.55 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.09 percent. 

The 15-year FRM this week averaged 2.77 percent with an average 0.6 point, down from last week when it averaged 2.85 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 3.29 percent.
 
The 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage averaged 2.76 percent this week with an average 0.6 point, up from last week when it averaged 2.72 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 3.02 percent.

The 1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 2.61 percent this week with an average 0.4 point, the same as last week. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 2.82 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.

"Following the Federal Reserve's announcement of a new bond purchase plan, yields on mortgage-backed securities fell bringing average fixed mortgage rates to their all-time record lows which should aid in the ongoing housing recovery," said Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, Freddie Mac. "New construction on one-family homes rebounded in August, rising by 5.5 percent to the fastest pace since April 2010. In addition, existing home sales increased by 7.8 percent in August to its strongest pace since May 2010."