Freddie Mac has released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS), showing mortgage rates dropping sharply amid falling bond yields and signs of a weaker than expected economy. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.39 percent with an average 0.8 point for the week ending Aug. 4, 2011, down from last week when it averaged 4.55 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.49 percent. The 15-year FRM this week averaged 3.54 percent with an average 0.7 point, down from last week when it also averaged 3.66 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 3.95 percent.
"Treasury bond yields fell markedly after signs the economy was weaker than what markets had previously thought allowing fixed mortgage rates to follow this week with the 15-year fixed and five-year ARM setting new historical lows," said Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, Freddie Mac. "The economy grew 1.3 percent in the second quarter, which was below the market consensus forecast, and first quarter growth was cut to less than a quarter of what was originally reported. In fact, the first half of this year was the worst six-month period since the economic recovery began in June 2009. Moreover, consumer spending fell 0.2 percent in June, representing the first decline since September 2009."
The five-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 3.18 percent this week, with an average 0.6 point, down from last week when it averaged 3.25 percent. A year ago, the five-year ARM averaged 3.63 percent. The one-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 3.02 percent this week with an average 0.5 point, up from last week when it averaged 2.95 percent. At this time last year, the one-year ARM averaged 3.55 percent.
"On a positive note, there were indications that the housing market is firming," said Nothaft. "Real residential fixed investments added growth to the economy in the second quarter after subtracting from growth over the first three months of the year. The CoreLogic National House Price Index rose for the third straight month in June (not seasonally adjusted) and was the first three-month gain since June 2010. Finally, pending existing home sales rose for a second consecutive month in June and was up nearly 20 percent from June 2010 when the housing tax credits expired."
