NEW YORK, NY - Mortgage rates were mostly lower, with the benchmark conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate now 5.07 percent, according to Bankrate.com's weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.4 discount and origination points. The average 15-year fixed mortgage ticked higher to 4.28 percent, and the larger jumbo 30-year fixed rate slipped to 5.55 percent. Adjustable rate mortgages were also lower, with the average 5-year ARM sinking to 3.83 percent and the 7-year ARM pulling back to 4.19 percent.
The movement in mortgage rates has been tame in recent weeks. Mortgage rates have been range-bound, having remained within a one-quarter percentage point band over the past two months. Historically, mortgage rates and bond yields can show very little movement over an extended period of time but then move significantly in a relatively short period of time. If upcoming inflation numbers spook the markets, for example, that could be the catalyst for a sudden move in bond yields and mortgage rates. Mortgage rates are closely related to yields on long-term government bonds.
The last time mortgage rates were above 6 percent was Nov. 2008. At the time, the average 30-year fixed rate was 6.33 percent, meaning a $200,000 loan would have carried a monthly payment of $1,241.86. With the average rate now 5.07 percent, the monthly payment for the same size loan would be $1,082.22, a difference of $159 per month for anyone refinancing now.
Bankrate's national weekly mortgage survey is conducted each Wednesday from data provided by the top 10 banks and thrifts in the top 10 markets.
The survey is complemented by Bankrate's weekly Rate Trend Index, in which a panel of mortgage experts predicts which way the rates are headed over the next seven days. The panelists are split, with 41 percent predicting an increase in mortgage rates and an equal percentage expecting mortgage rates to remain more or less unchanged. Just 18 percent forecast a decline in mortgage rates over the next seven days.
For the full mortgage Rate Trend Index, go to: www.bankrate.com/RTI.
The Bankrate network of companies includes Bankrate.com, Interest.com, Mortgage-calc.com, Nationwide Card Services, Fee Disclosure, InsureMe CreditCardGuide.com, Bankaholic, CreditCards.com and NetQuote. Each of these businesses helps consumers to make informed decisions about their personal finance matters. The company's flagship brand, Bankrate.com is a destination site of personal finance channels, including banking, investing, taxes, debt management and college finance. Bankrate.com is the leading aggregator of rates and other information on more than 300 financial products, including mortgages, credit cards, new and used auto loans, money market accounts and CDs, checking and ATM fees, home equity loans and online banking fees. Bankrate.com reviews more than 4,800 financial institutions in 575 markets in 50 states. Bankrate.com provides financial applications and information to a network of more than 75 partners, including Yahoo! (Nasdaq: YHOO), America Online (NYSE: AOL), The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times (NYSE: NYT). Bankrate.com's information is also distributed through more than 500 newspapers. Bankrate, Inc. was acquired by Apax Partners, one of the world's leading private equity investment groups, in September 2009. Apax operates across the United States, Europe and Asia and has more than 30 years of investing experience.
Source: Bankrate.com