US Mortgage Rates Show Mixed Results This Week

Location: McLean
Author: Eileen Fitzpatrick
Date: Friday, February 4, 2011


Freddie Mac (OTC: FMCC) yesterday released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS) which shows mixed results in both long- and short-term rates this week.

News Facts

  • 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.81 percent with an average 0.8 point for the week ending February 4, 2011, upfrom last week when it averaged 4.80 percent.; Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.01 percent.
  • 15-year FRM this week averaged 4.08 percent with an average 0.8 point, down from last week when it averaged 4.09 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 4.40 percent.
  • 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 3.69 percent this week, with an average 0.7 point, down from last week when it averaged 3.70 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 4.27 percent.
  • 1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 3.26 percent this week with an average 0.6 point, the same as last week when it averaged 3.26 percent. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 4.22 percent.

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

Quotes

Attributed to Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, Freddie Mac.

  • "Mortgage rates held relatively stable this week on news that the economy improved and inflation remained in check at the end of 2010. In the fourth quarter, the economy grew at a 3.2 percent annualized rate, compared to 2.6 percent in the third quarter, and was led by a 4.4 percent gain in consumer spending. In addition, the core price index for consumer expenditures rose by an annualized rate of 0.4 percent, which was the smallest increase ever since records began in 1959.

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.

Summary of Survey Results

Fixed-Rate Mortgages

 

Average Conventional
30-Year Commitment Rate

Fees & Points

Average Conventional
15-Year Commitment Rate

Fees & Points

US

4.81

0.8

4.08

0.8

Northeast

4.84

0.7

4.12

0.7

Southeast

4.77

0.9

4.04

1.0

N. Central

4.88

0.5

4.13

0.5

Southwest

4.78

0.7

4.13

0.8

West

4.77

1.0

3.99

1.0

Five/One-Year Adjustable-Rate Mortgages

 

First Commitment Rate

Fees & Points

Margin

US

3.69

0.7

2.74

Northeast

3.79

0.6

2.76

Southeast

3.45

0.8

2.75

N. Central

3.92

0.4

2.71

Southwest

3.68

0.7

2.79

West

3.57

0.9

2.73

One-Year Adjustable-Rate Mortgages

 

First Commitment Rate

Fees & Points

Margin

US

3.26

0.6

2.76

Northeast

3.49

0.7

2.80

Southeast

2.95

0.6

2.75

N. Central

3.50

0.3

2.72

Southwest

3.43

0.7

2.80

West

2.98

0.7

2.75

Freddie Mac Region

PMMS Weights

 

Northeast

27.1

 

Southeast

13.6

 

North Central

17.2

 

Southwest

12.8

 

West

29.3

 

               

Primary Mortgage Market Survey Results
February 3, 2011

30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgages

 

US

NE

SE

NC

SW

W

Average

4.81

4.84

4.77

4.88

4.78

4.77

Fees & Points

0.8

0.7

0.9

0.5

0.7

1.0

15-Year Fixed Rate Mortgages

 

US

NE

SE

NC

SW

W

Average

4.08

4.12

4.04

4.13

4.13

3.99

Fees & Points

0.8

0.7

1.0

0.5

0.8

1.0

5/1-Year Adjustable Rate Mortgages

 

US

NE

SE

NC

SW

W

Average

3.69

3.79

3.45

3.92

3.68

3.57

Fees & Points

0.7

0.6

0.8

0.4

0.7

0.9

Margin

2.74

2.76

2.75

2.71

2.79

2.73

1-Year Adjustable Rate Mortgages

 

US

NE

SE

NC

SW

W

Average

3.26

3.49

2.95

3.50

3.43

2.98

Fees & Points

0.6

0.7

0.6

0.3

0.7

0.7

Margin

2.76

2.80

2.75

2.72

2.80

2.75

The National Mortgage Rate Snapshot

 

One Year Ago

One Week Ago

 

30-YR

15-YR

5/1-YR

1-YR ARM

30-YR

15-YR

5/1-YR

1-YR ARM

Average

5.01  

4.40  

4.27  

4.22  

4.80  

4.09  

3.70  

3.26  

Fees & Points

0.7  

0.7  

0.6  

0.5  

0.7  

0.7  

0.7  

0.6  

Margin

N/A

N/A

2.74  

2.75  

N/A

N/A

2.74  

2.77  

                           

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. In general, the data presented were calculated from information collected Monday through Wednesday of the same week that the PMMS is released and may not reflect mortgage rates, fees or points currently available from any lender. Freddie Mac may change the methodology used to conduct the PMMS at any time and without notice.

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