Mortgage Rates Cool Off

Freddie Mac recently released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey(R) (PMMS®), showing average fixed mortgage rates easing along with market concerns over the Federal Reserve's bond purchase program.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.37 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending July 18, 2013, down from last week when it averaged 4.51 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 3.53 percent.

• 15-year FRM this week averaged 3.41 percent with an average 0.7 point, down from last week when it averaged 3.53 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 2.83 percent.
• 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 3.17 percent this week with an average 0.6 point, down from last week when it averaged 3.26 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 2.69 percent.
• 1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 2.66 percent this week with an average 0.4 point, unchanged from last week. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 2.69 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 the Regional and National Mortgage Rate Details and Definitions. Borrowers may still pay closing costs which are not included in the survey.

"Fixed mortgage rates fell as Federal Reserve (Fed) Chairman Bernanke helped ease market concerns about the Fed reducing its bond purchases. During a question and answer session following a speech on July 10th, Chairman Bernanke indicated that a highly accommodative monetary policy is what's needed in the U.S. Economy,” says Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, Freddie Mac.

"Indications of a slowing in the economic recovery also placed downward pressure on mortgage rates. Consumer sentiment fell to a three month low in July while retail sales in June grew by only 0.4 percent, which was half of the market consensus forecast. In addition, housing starts fell in June to the slowest pace since August 2012."

For more information, visit www.FreddieMac.com.

Mike Spruell
Realtor®/Broker/ePRO
The Lake Norman Homes Team
Southern Homes Elite
www.LakeNormanRealEstate.pro
866-LakeNorman
704-907-7907

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2013. All rights reserved.