Mortgage Rates on the Upswing – NMP
Industry News

Mortgage Rates on the Upswing

Jan 25, 2018
Average fixed mortgage rates rising for the third consecutive week, according to new data from Freddie Mac.

Average fixed mortgage rates rising for the third consecutive week, according to new data from Freddie Mac.
 
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.15 percent for week ending Jan. 25, up from last week when it averaged 4.04 percent; this is the product’s highest level since March 2017. The 15-year FRM this week averaged 3.62 percent, up from last week when it averaged 3.49 percent. And the five-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 3.52 percent, up from last week when it averaged 3.46.
 
Len Kiefer, Freddie Mac’s Deputy Chief Economist, welcomed the data news.
 
“Rates keep climbing,” Kiefer said. “The 10-year Treasury yield reached its highest point since 2014 reflecting expectations of broad-based economic growth. Mortgage rates, in turn, followed the surge in Treasury yields.”
Average fixed mortgage rates rising for the third consecutive week, according to new data from Freddie Mac
 
Separately, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) reported the National Average Contract Mortgage Rate for the Purchase of Previously Occupied Homes by Combined Lenders Index was 4.08 percent for loans closed in late December, up three basis points from 4.05 percent in November.
 
The average interest rate on all mortgage loans was 4.05 percent, up two basis points from 4.03 in November. The average interest rate on conventional, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages of $424,100 or less was 4.17 percent, unchanged from November. And the average loan amount for all loans was $321,100 in December, up $13,300 from $307,800 in November.
Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) reported the National Average Contract Mortgage Rate for the Purchase of Previously Occupied Homes by Combined Lenders Index was 4.08 percent for loans closed in late December, up three basis points from 4.05 percent
 
About the author
Phil Hall
Link copied
Published
Jan 25, 2018
Get the NMP Daily
Regulation and Compliance
Mortgage AI Survey Finds Monitoring Gap At Smaller Lenders

Only 40% of smaller lenders surveyed reported ongoing AI monitoring, compared with 80% of larger lenders, as a new state examiner guide details the records regulators may request

Mortgage companies have been putting AI policies in place. Keeping watch over the tools after they go live is proving less consistent, particularly among smaller lenders.A new survey by the American Association of Residential Mortgage Regulators (AARMR), the Mortgage Bankers...

Continue reading
Operations
Can AI Crack The Mortgage Approval Gap?

A company white paper links lower decline rates to its AI-enabled workflow, then estimates the potential lending volume if those rates held nationwide.

Mortgage applications processed through AngelAi at Sun West Mortgage had substantially lower decline rates in 2025 than applications in the national market, according to a new company white paper. The gap appeared across Asian, Black, Hispanic, and white applicant groups.Sun...

Continue reading
Renew your NMLS License — for free.

Enjoy access to a free NMLS renewal class when you attend an in-person event.

Find an event
More from
Industry News
Rocket Makes VantageScore Its Default After Testing Finds Borrower Savings

After four months of testing, Rocket will make VantageScore 4.0 its preferred model for eligible retail loans while keeping both scoring options available to brokers

Industry News
Sep 29, 2026
CHLA: More Freddie Mac MBS Buying Could Narrow Mortgage Spreads

Trade group estimates greater Freddie participation could compress spreads another 10 to 12 basis points as Fannie has taken the lead in GSE mortgage-bond buying

Industry News
Sep 23, 2026
Early Loan-Limit Race Splits Into Three Tiers

Lenders are now offering $845,000, $847,440, or $850,000 before FHFA sets the official 2027 limits

Industry News
Sep 23, 2026
Better, Garg Clash Over Claimed 46% Shareholder Support

Better disputes its former CEO’s preliminary consent count as the two sides trade accusations and an Oct. 2 target date approaches

C-Suite Strategies
Sep 23, 2026
Fannie Changes How Rent From A Former Home Counts

Fannie now prohibits leases for departing residences and permits market-analysis tools instead of Form 1007, creating a key documentation difference from Freddie Mac

Regulation and Compliance
Sep 22, 2026