Fixed-Rate Mortgages Near Record Lows

Fixed-rate mortgages dropped slightly this week, nearing their average all-time lows and helping to lift home buyers’ purchasing power, Freddie Mac reports in its weekly mortgage market survey. For every week but one this year, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, the most popular choice among home buyers, has been below 4 percent. Here’s a closer look at average rates for the week ending April 26: 30-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 3.88 percent, with an average 0.7 point, dropping from last week’s 3.90 percent average. A year ago at this time, 30-year rates averaged 4.78 percent. The record low for 30-year rates averaged 3.87 percent, a record reached in February. 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.12 percent, with an average 0.6 point, dropping from last week’s 3.13 percent. Last year at this time, 15-year rates averaged 3.97 percent. The all-time record low for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages is 3.11 percent, a record reached recently during the week ending April 12. 5-year adjustable-rate mortgages averaged 2.85 percent this week, with an average 0.6 point, rising slightly from last week’s 2.78 percent average. Last year at this time, 5-year ARMs averaged 3.51 percent. 1-year ARMs averaged 2.74 percent, with an average 0.6 point, dropping from last week’s 2.81 percent average. A year ago at this time, 1-year ARMs averaged 3.15 percent. Source: Freddie Mac