NEW YORK, NY - Mortgage rates fell this week, with the benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage rate dropping to 4.39 percent, according to Bankrate.com's weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.37 discount and origination points.
The average 15-year fixed mortgage retreated to 3.42 percent, while the larger jumbo 30-year fixed mortgage rate is now 4.42 percent. Adjustable rate mortgages were lower also, with the popular 5-year adjustable sliding to 3.28 percent and the 7-year adjustable rate moving down to 3.6 percent.
After two consecutive weeks moving to the upside, mortgage rates reversed course following Federal Reserve Chair nominee Janet Yellen's comment that "there is more the Fed can do." Investors took this to mean that the Fed will not be in a hurry to rein in stimulus or boost interest rates, and that helped bring both bond yields and mortgage rates back down. Mortgage rates are closely related to yields on long-term government bonds.
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 4.39 percent, the monthly payment for the same size loan would be $1,000.34, a difference of $100 per month for anyone that waited too long.
SURVEY RESULTS
30-year fixed: 4.39% -- down from 4.48% last week (avg. points: 0.37)
15-year fixed: 3.42% -- down from 3.49% last week (avg. points: 0.26)
5/1 ARM: 3.28% -- down from 3.33% last week (avg. points: 0.25)
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. Half of this week's respondents, 50 percent, expect mortgage rates to remain more or less unchanged over the coming week, while 42 percent predict mortgage rates will fall. Just 8 percent forecast an increase in mortgage rates in the next week.