NEW YORK, NY - Mortgage rates pulled back, with the benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage rate retreating to 4.56 percent, according to Bankrate.com's weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.31 discount and origination points.
The average 15-year fixed mortgage fell to 3.62 percent, while the larger jumbo 30-year fixed mortgage rate declined to 4.68 percent. Adjustable rate mortgages were mostly lower. The popular 5-year adjustable rate slid to 3.53 percent and the 10-year ARM inched lower to 4.11 percent.
The disappointing July jobs report cast some doubt on whether the Federal Reserve would begin tapering their bond purchases in September. With encouraging and disappointing economic news offsetting each other on almost a daily basis, look for mortgage rates to remain range bound at least until there is greater clarity regarding both the economy and Fed policy.
As recently as May 1st, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 3.52 percent. At that time, a $200,000 loan would have carried a monthly payment of $900.32. With the average rate currently at 4.56 percent, the monthly payment for the same size loan would be $1,020.51, a difference of $120 per month for anyone that waited too long.
SURVEY RESULTS
30-year fixed: 4.56% -- down from 4.59% last week (avg. points: 0.31)
15-year fixed: 3.62% -- down from 3.65% last week (avg. points: 0.23)
5/1 ARM: 3.53% -- down from 3.57% last week (avg. points: 0.23)
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.
For a full analysis of this week's move in mortgage rates, go to www.bankrate.com
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 majority of respondents – 59 percent – don't think mortgage rates are headed much of anywhere, predicting they will be more or less unchanged over the coming week. One-third forecast declining rates and just 8 percent expect an increase in mortgage rates in the next week.