US Long-Term Rates Fall for Ninth Consecutive Week Setting Another New Low

Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) last Friday released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 5.10 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending December 31, 2008, downfrom last week when it averaged 5.14 percent.  Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.07 percent.  The 30-year FRM has not been lower since Freddie Mac started the Primary Mortgage Market Survey in 1971.

The 15-year FRM this week averaged 4.83 percent with an average 0.7 point, down from last week when it averaged 4.91 percent.  A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.68 percent.  The 15-year FRM has not been lower since March 25, 2004, when it averaged 4.70 percent.

Five-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) averaged 5.57 percent this week, with an average 0.7 point, up from last week when it averaged 5.49 percent.  A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 5.78 percent. 

One-year Treasury-indexed ARMs averaged 4.85 percent this week with an average 0.5 point, downfrom last week when it averaged 4.95 percent.  At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 5.47 percent. 

(Average commitment rates should be reported along with average fees and points to reflect the total cost of obtaining the mortgage.)

“Interest rates for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages fell for the ninth straight week and represented a third consecutive all time record low since Freddie Mac’s survey began in April 1971,” said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist.  “Since the end of October of this year, these rates have declined by about 1-1/3 percentage points, or payment savings of approximately $173 a month for a $200,000 loan.  As a result, the number of refinance applications for conventional mortgages jumped over 500 percent between the weeks ending on October 31^st and December 26^th.

“Lower rates and falling house prices are also making homeownership more affordable to potential homebuyers.  For instance, house prices fell 18 percent over the 12-month period ending in October, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller® 20-city composite index.  Every city posted a second consecutive month of decline in October.  From its peak set in July 2006, the composite index is down 23.4 percent.”

Freddie Mac was established by Congress in 1970 to provide liquidity, stability and affordability to the nation's residential mortgage markets. Freddie Mac supports communities across the nation by providing mortgage capital to lenders. Over the years, Freddie Mac has made home possible for one in six homebuyers and more than five million renters.

PRIMARY MORTGAGE MARKET SURVEY RESULTS

30-YEAR FIXED RATE MORTGAGES

15-YEAR FIXED RATE MORTGAGES

5/1 ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGES (ARMs)

Margin                        2.74                2.73               2.75                2.74                2.76             2.71

1-YEAR ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGES (ARMs)

Margin                        2.73                2.69               2.75                2.73                2.77             2.75

THE NATIONAL MORTGAGE RATE SNAPSHOT

Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) is for informational purposes only and Freddie Mac is not responsible for business decisions made based on the reported results of the PMMS.  Freddie Mac may change the methodology used to conduct the PMMS survey at any time and without notice.