Freddie Mac PMMS: Fixed-rates down slightly

Freddie Mac has released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 5.06 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending Jan. 14, 2010, down from last week when it averaged 5.09 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.96 percent. The 15-year FRM this week averaged 4.45 percent with an average 0.6 point, down from last week when it averaged 4.50 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 4.65 percent. The five-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 4.32 percent this week, with an average 0.6 point, down from last week when it averaged 4.44 percent. A year ago, the five-year ARM averaged 5.25 percent. The one-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 4.39 percent this week with an average 0.5 point, up from last week when it averaged 4.31 percent. At this time last year, the one-year ARM averaged 4.89 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 fixed-rate mortgages eased a little further this week, while ARM rates were mixed,” said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist. “With fixed mortgage rates staying near a record low, many homeowners are taking the opportunity to refinance. For instance, over the past three-and-a-half months, on average more than 75 percent of conventional mortgage applications were for refinance transactions, according the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). “The Federal Reserve recently reported positive news in both the housing market and the overall state of the economy in its January 13th regional economic report, which spanned the last few months of 2009. Economic activity improved in 10 of its 12 districts. Home sales, especially for lower-priced homes, increased due in part to the homebuyer tax credit and house prices appeared to have changed little since its last report.” For more information, visit www.freddiemac.com.