NEW YORK, NY - The benchmark conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate set a new record for the third consecutive week, dropping to 4.35 percent, according to Bankrate.com's weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.38 discount and origination points.
The average 15-year fixed mortgage remained at 3.48 percent while the larger jumbo 30-year fixed rate set a new low of 4.86 percent. Adjustable rate mortgages were mixed, with the average 5-year ARM ticking higher to 3.1 percent while the 7-year ARM slid to another record low of 3.21 percent.
A dismal jobs report brought mortgage rates down for a sixth consecutive week. Fears of a looming recession or prolonged economic malaise have enhanced the appeal of long-term Treasury securities, with yields venturing into record-low territory. Fixed mortgage rates and yields on mortgage-backed bonds are closely related to yields on 10-year Treasury notes. While the Federal Reserve may take steps to further reduce these long-term interest rates in hopes of bringing mortgage rates still lower, expanding the pool of eligible refinancers would make the low mortgage rates more impactful on the economy.
The last time mortgage rates were above 6 percent was Nov. 2008. At the time, the average 30-year fixed 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 4.35 percent, the monthly payment for the same size loan would be $995.62, a difference of $246 per month for anyone refinancing now.
SURVEY RESULTS
30-year fixed: 4.35% -- down from 4.37% last week (avg. points: 0.38)
15-year fixed: 3.48% -- unchanged from last week (avg. points: 0.35)
5/1 ARM: 3.10% -- up from 3.07% last week (avg. points: 0.37)
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: 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. There is no clear consensus among the panelists, with 38 percent expecting mortgage rates to remain more or less unchanged, and 31 percent predicting a decline. An equal 31 percent expect mortgage rates to increase in the upcoming week.
The Bankrate network of companies includes Bankrate.com, Interest.com, Mortgage-calc.com, Nationwide Card Services, 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.