NEW YORK, NY - Mortgage rates reset record lows this week, with the benchmark conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate falling to 4.37 percent, according to Bankrate.com's weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.38 discount and origination points.
The average 15-year fixed mortgage plunged to 3.48 percent while the larger jumbo 30-year fixed rate tied a record low of 4.89 percent. Adjustable rate mortgages moved into record territory also, with the average 5-year ARM dropping to 3.07 percent and the 7-year ARM sliding to 3.23 percent. Both are record lows.
Many of the adjustable rate mortgages have initial interest rates so low they're bordering on the ridiculous. On the 5/1 ARM, which carries a fixed rate for the first five years, some lenders are offering rates at 2.5 percent or below. On the 7/1 ARM, a number of lenders have the fixed rate for the first seven years below 3 percent. While these rates are plenty tempting for borrowers that don't imagine being in the home more than 10 years, some of these loans are now priced in such a way that rates can only go up in the future. Be very sure about your timetable or your ability to bank the savings in the meantime, as rising monthly payments would be a virtual certainty in later years.
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 4.37 percent, the monthly payment for the same size loan would be $997.98, a difference of $243 per month for anyone refinancing now.
SURVEY RESULTS
30-year fixed: 4.37% -- down from 4.41% last week (avg. points: 0.38)
15-year fixed: 3.48% -- down from 3.63% last week (avg. points: 0.32)
5/1 ARM: 3.07% -- down from 3.12% last week (avg. points: 0.4)
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. There is no clear consensus among the panelists, with 42 percent expecting mortgage rates to remain more or less unchanged, and 33 percent predicting a decline. Just 25 percent expect mortgage rates to increase in the upcoming week.
For the full mortgage Rate Trend Index, go to: www.bankrate.com
The Bankrate network of companies includes Bankrate.com, Interest.com, Mortgage-calc.com, Nationwide Card Services, 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.