Sunday, December 8, 2013 / by Carlos J Higareda
Mortgage Rates Climb on Strengthening Economy
Fixed-rate mortgages were on the rise this week, following a 25 percent monthly jump in new-home sales and an improving job outlook report, Freddie Mac reports in its weekly mortgage market survey.
Freddie Mac reports the following national averages for mortgage rates for the week ending Dec. 5:
- 30-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 4.46 percent, with an average 0.5 point, rising from last week’s 4.29 percent average. Last year at this time, 30-year rates averaged more than a full percentage point lower at 3.34 percent.
- 15-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 3.47, with an average 0.4 point, rising from last week’s 3.30 percent average. A year ago, 15-year rates averaged 2.67 percent.
- 5-year hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages: averaged 2.99 percent, with an average 0.4 point, jumping from last week’s 2.94 percent average. Last year at this time, 5-year ARMs averaged 2.69 percent.
- 1-year ARMs: averaged 2.59 percent, with an average 0.4 point, dropping from last week’s 2.60 percent average. A year ago at this time, 1-year ARMs averaged 2.55 percent.
Source: Freddie Mac