The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage continued to rise slightly for the third straight week, but still remains low by historical standards, reports Freddie Mac in its weekly mortgage market survey. The 30-year rate averaged 4.87 percent this week, but continues to be well-below its average of 5.21 percent a year ago.
The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage this week averaged 4.1 percent, up slightly from last week’s 4.09 percent.
The 5-year adjustable-rate mortgage also is inching up slightly, averaging 3.72 percent this week from 3.7 percent last week.
Overall, "mortgage rates were little changed after an encouraging employment report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics,” says Frank Nothaft, the chief economist at Freddie Mac. The improved job picture could soon provide a boost to housing. The unemployment rate fell for the fifth consecutive month in March to 8.8 percent--the lowest rate in two years, Nothaft notes.
But despite the improving job picture and low interest rates, the tightening of credit standards continue to keep some buyers out. KB Home this week reported a 32 percent drop in new home orders for the December through February quarter. Lennar Corp. said that its new homes also have fallen 12 percent in that same time period.
Source: “Mortgage Rates Change Little Amid Positive Employment Report,” Freddie Mac (April 7, 2011) and “Rate on 30-Year Mortgage Still Below 5 Percent But Housing Market Remains in Doldrums,” The Associated Press (April 7, 2011)
The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage this week averaged 4.1 percent, up slightly from last week’s 4.09 percent.
The 5-year adjustable-rate mortgage also is inching up slightly, averaging 3.72 percent this week from 3.7 percent last week.
Overall, "mortgage rates were little changed after an encouraging employment report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics,” says Frank Nothaft, the chief economist at Freddie Mac. The improved job picture could soon provide a boost to housing. The unemployment rate fell for the fifth consecutive month in March to 8.8 percent--the lowest rate in two years, Nothaft notes.
But despite the improving job picture and low interest rates, the tightening of credit standards continue to keep some buyers out. KB Home this week reported a 32 percent drop in new home orders for the December through February quarter. Lennar Corp. said that its new homes also have fallen 12 percent in that same time period.
Source: “Mortgage Rates Change Little Amid Positive Employment Report,” Freddie Mac (April 7, 2011) and “Rate on 30-Year Mortgage Still Below 5 Percent But Housing Market Remains in Doldrums,” The Associated Press (April 7, 2011)
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