30-Year Rates Drop to Near 5%
Mortgage rates across the board fell this week, a welcoming sign to potential buyers and home owners looking to refinance.
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5.04 percent this week, a drop from last week's 5.16 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year rate averaged 6.04 percent, Freddie Mac reports.
Freddie Mac reported the following for other rates for the week:
- 15-year mortgage rates: averaged 4.68 percent, down from last week's 4.81 percent. Last year at this time: 5.64 percent.
- 5-year hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages: averaged 5.04 percent this week, a drop from last week's 5.23 percent. Last year at this time: 5.37 percent
- 1-year ARMs: averaged 4.8 percent, down from last week's 4.94 percent. Last year at this time: 4.98 percent
"Mortgage rates followed bond yields lower this week as recent economic reports suggest the economy is still slowing, which reduces the future threat of inflation," says Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac's chief economist.
Source: Freddie Mac(02/19/09)
