NEW YORK, NY - Mortgage rates were mostly steady this week, with the benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage rate unchanged at 4.55 percent, according to Bankrate.com's weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.39 discount and origination points.
The average 15-year fixed mortgage dipped to 3.6 percent, while the larger jumbo 30-year fixed mortgage rate was down to 4.55 percent. The spread between the benchmark 30-year fixed rate and the larger jumbo 30-year fixed rate has been completely erased for the first time ever in Bankrate.com's survey. Adjustable rate mortgages were mixed, with the average 3-year ARM retreating to 3.28 percent, while the 5-year and 7-year each inched higher, to 3.34 percent and 3.70 percent, respectively.
The strength in recent economic data, particularly on the job front, means tapering will be part of the discussion when the Federal Open Market Committee meets next week. Don't expect any notable moves in bond yields or mortgage rates until the conclusion of the meeting and the announcement of whether the Fed will begin tapering now, or wait until 2014. 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 4.55 percent, the monthly payment for the same size loan would be $1,019.32, a difference of $119 per month for anyone that waited too long.
SURVEY RESULTS
30-year fixed: 4.55% -- unchanged from last week (avg. points: 0.39)
15-year fixed: 3.60% -- down from 3.62% last week (avg. points: 0.26)
5/1 ARM: 3.34% -- up from 3.33% last week (avg. points: 0.26)
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. More than half of this week's respondents, 56 percent, expect mortgage rates to remain more or less unchanged over the coming week, while 33 percent predict mortgage rates will rise. Just 11 percent forecast a decrease in mortgage rates in the next week.