Rates Edge Higher as New Year Begins

Freddie Mac has released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS), showing average fixed-rate mortgages (FRMs) continuing to edge higher as 2014 begins, with the 30-year FRM averaging 4.53 percent with an average 0.8 point for the week ending Jan. 2, 2014, up from last week when it averaged 4.48 percent. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 3.34 percent.  The 15-year FRM this week averaged 3.55 percent with an average 0.7 point, up from last week when it averaged 3.52 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 2.64 percent.  "Mortgage rates edged up to begin the year on signs of a stronger economic recovery," said Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, Freddie Mac. "The pending home sales index inched up 0.2 percent in November, after five consecutive months of decline. The Conference Board reported that confidence among consumers rose in December and the S&P/Case-Shiller 20-city composite house price index rose 13.6 percent over the 12-months ending in October 2013." The five-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 3.05 percent this week with an average 0.4 point, up from last week when it averaged 3.00 percent. A year ago, the five-year ARM averaged 2.71 percent. The one-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 2.56 percent this week with an average 0.5 point, unchanged from last week. At this time last year, the one-year ARM averaged 2.57 percent.