Here are some interesting facts taken from the website Urbanturf.com. I though thought it was interesting and wanted to share it with everyone
After staying above 3.5 percent for several months, long-term mortgage rates dropped below that benchmark this week.
On Thursday, Freddie Mac reported 3.43 percent with an average 0.8 point as the average on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. Last week, rates averaged 3.54 percent. Rates have more or less been on an upward trajectory since hitting a record low of 3.31 percent in November.
From Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist Frank Nothaft:
Mortgage rates fell further this week following a lackluster employment report for March. The economy added just 88,000 net new jobs last month, about one-third as many as February and the fewest since June 2012. In addition, approximately 496,000 people left the workforce causing the unemployment rate to fall to 7.6 percent.
Here's one from Realtor.com
Mortgage rates saw a decline for the second consecutive week, according to the latest survey by mortgage buyer Freddie Mac. Loan rates fell once again as response to weak unemployment data reported by the Labor Department last week and continue to move closer to historic lows.
The average rate for a 30-year fixed loan saw a considerable dip, falling to 3.43% from 3.54% last week. If the current trend continues, loans may come close to the record low reach in November, 3.31%, which represented the lowest average rate on record dating back to 1971.
The low rates have helped keep home-buying and refinancing desirable as the market continues its slow recovery, notes mortgage expert Al Bowman:
If we see an increase in spending, the bond market will likely fall and mortgage rates will rise as it would indicate consumers are spending more than thought, fueling economic growth. However, a weaker than expected reading could push bond prices higher and mortgage rates lower, especially if the PPI gives us favorable results also.
In addition to falling 30-year fixed loans, the average rate on a 15-year fixed mortgage is also creeping towards the record low. Listed at 2.74% a week ago, 15-year fixed rates fell to 2.65%, which is a touch above the record low achieved in November, 2.63%.
Hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages also saw a slight decline. The average rate on a 5-year ARM fell from 2.65% to 2.62% this week, while the rate on a one-year ARM dipped ever-so-slightly to 2.62%, down .01% from a week ago.
Of the panelists polled by Bankrate.com in their weekly Mortgage Rate Trend Index, 33% believe that mortgage rates will rise in the coming week, while 66% believe that rates will remain unchanged. “Unchanged until the next international crisis or whatev,” says Bankrate.com assistant managing editor Holden Lewis. “Lately, mortgage rates seem captive to international events, which are unpredictable.”
