NEW YORK, Oct. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Fixed mortgage rates declined, with the average conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate falling to 6.42 percent. According to Bankrate.com’s weekly national survey of large lenders, the average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.36 discount and origination points.
The average 15-year fixed rate mortgage popular for refinancing fell by a similar amount to 6.10 percent. The average jumbo 30-year fixed rate pulled back to 7.28 percent. Adjustable mortgage rates were lower as well, with the average one-year ARM slipping to 6.13 percent, and the average 5/1 ARM sliding to 6.26 percent.
Another drop in pending home sales added to mounting housing concerns and helped pull mortgage rates lower. Worries about the economic fallout from housing enticed investors into the safety and security of long-term government bonds. Fixed mortgage rates are closely related to yields on ten-year Treasury notes. The path of mortgage rates in the next week is very likely to hinge on the outcome of the employment report to be released Oct. 5. If job growth does not appear as bad as initially thought, this could give the Federal Open Market Committee latitude to pause at the next meeting. But more troubling signs from the job market might compel the Fed to cut interest rates again. The Fed remains coy about plans for the Oct. 30-31 meeting.
Fixed mortgage rates remain the most attractive option for borrowers. Just three months ago, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.74 percent, meaning that a $200,000 loan would have carried a monthly payment of $1,295.87. Now that the average conforming 30-year fixed rate is 6.42 percent, the same $200,000 loan carries a monthly payment of $1,253.63.
SURVEY RESULTS
- 30-year fixed: 6.42% — down from 6.49% last week (avg. points: 0.36)
- 15-year fixed: 6.10% — down from 6.16% last week (avg. points: 0.34)
- 5/1 ARM: 6.26% — down from 6.35% last week (avg. points: 0.36)
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 http://www.bankrate.com/mortgagerates.
The survey is complemented by Bankrate’s weekly forward-looking Rate Trend Index, in which a panel of mortgage experts predicts which way the rates are headed over the next 30 to 45 days. This week, almost half of the panelists – 45 percent – believe mortgage rates will remain relatively unchanged over the next 30 to 45 days. The remainder are almost evenly split, with 27 percent forecasting a decline, and 28 percent expecting rates to rise in the coming weeks.
For the full mortgage Rate Trend Index, go to http://www.bankrate.com/RTI
About Bankrate, Inc.
Bankrate, Inc. (Nasdaq: RATE) (“Bankrate”) owns and operates Bankrate.com, a leading Internet consumer banking marketplace. Bankrate.com is a destination site of personal finance channels, including banking, investing, taxes, debt management and college finance. Bankrate is the leading aggregator of more than 300 financial products, including mortgages, credit cards, new and used auto loans, money market accounts and CDs, checking and ATM fees, home equity loans and online banking fees. Bankrate reviews more than 4,800 financial institutions in 575 markets in 50 states. In 2006, Bankrate.com had nearly 53 million unique visitors. Bankrate provides financial applications and information to a network of more than 75 partners, including Yahoo! (Nasdaq: YHOO), America Online (NYSE: TWX), The Wall Street Journal (NYSE: DJ) and The New York Times (NYSE: NYT). Bankrate’s information is also distributed through more than 400 national and state publications. In addition to Bankrate.com, Bankrate also owns and operates Bankrate Select, an Internet lead aggregator, Mortgage-calc.com, which provides consumers with financial calculators, and Mortgage Market Information Services, Inc. and Interest.com, Inc., each of which publishes mortgage guides and financial rates and information.
For more information contact:
Kayleen J. Keneally
Senior Director, Corporate Communications
kkeneally (at) bankrate (dot) com
(917) 368-8677
NOTE TO EDITORS: The information contained in this release is available for print or broadcast with attribution to Bankrate.com.
SOURCE Bankrate, Inc.
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