NEW YORK, N.Y. – December 20, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — Mortgage rates increased again this week, with the average conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate now 4.62 percent, according to Bankrate.com’s weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.37 discount and origination points.
To see mortgage rates in your area, go to http://www.bankrate.com/funnel/mortgages/.
The average 15-year fixed mortgage increased to 4.02 percent, and the larger jumbo 30-year fixed rate soared as well to 5.24 percent. Adjustable rate mortgages also climbed higher, with the average 5-year ARM inching higher to 3.71 percent and the average 7-year ARM rising to 4.01 percent.
Mortgage rates jumped significantly this week, posting a second consecutive weekly increase since the Federal Reserve announced renewed measures to boost the economy. Worries that the Fed’s quantitative easing program will spark higher inflation, coupled with stronger economic data on retail sales and weekly unemployment filings fueled the latest increase. Although mortgage rates have increased, they remain extremely low in a historical context and will not be an impediment to well-qualified borrowers for the foreseeable future.
The last time mortgage rates were above 6 percent was Nov. 2008. At that time, the average rate was 6.33 percent, meaning a $200,000 loan would have carried a monthly payment of $1,241.86. With the average rate now 4.62 percent, the monthly payment for the same size loan would be $1,027.68, a savings of $214 per month for a homeowner refinancing now.
SURVEY RESULTS
30-year fixed: 4.62% — up from 4.46% last week (avg. points: 0.37)
15-year fixed: 4.02% — up from 3.84% last week (avg. points: 0.32)
5/1 ARM: 3.71% — up from 3.62% last week (avg. points: 0.38)
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.
The survey is complemented by Bankrate’s weekly Rate Trend Index, in which a panel of mortgage experts predicts which way the rates are headed over the next seven days. More than half of the panelists, 53 percent say mortgage rates are not headed anywhere and will more or less stay the same. While 33 percent predict that mortgage rates will decline, the remaining 14 percent believe that mortgage rates will rise in the next week.
For the full mortgage Rate Trend Index, go to http://www.bankrate.com/RTI.
About Bankrate, Inc.
The Bankrate network of companies includes Bankrate.com, Interest.com, Mortgage-calc.com, Nationwide Card Services, Savingforcollege.com, Fee Disclosure, InsureMe CreditCardGuide.com, Bankaholic, CreditCards.com and NetQuote. Each of these businesses helps consumers to make informed decisions about their personal finance matters. The company’s flagship brand, Bankrate.com is a destination site of personal finance channels, including banking, investing, taxes, debt management and college finance. Bankrate.com is the leading aggregator of rates and other information on 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.com reviews more than 4,800 financial institutions in 575 markets in 50 states. Bankrate.com provides financial applications and information to a network of more than 75 partners, including Yahoo! (Nasdaq: YHOO), America Online (NYSE: AOL), The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times (NYSE: NYT). Bankrate.com’s information is also distributed through more than 500 newspapers. Bankrate, Inc. was acquired by Apax Partners, one of the world’s leading private equity investment groups, in September 2009. Apax operates across the United States, Europe and Asia and has more than 30 years of investing experience. For more information on Apax, visit: www.Apax.com.
###For more information contact:
Hilary Dommu
Corporate Communications Coordinator
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(917) 368-8635
