Mortgage Rates Reverse Trend

Mar 15, 2018

Mortgage credit availability decreased in March, according to the Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI), a report from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA)

Freddie Mac has released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS), showing the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) sliding after nine consecutive weeks of increases. This week, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.44 percent, with an average 0.5 point for the week ending March 15, 2018, down from last week when it averaged 4.46 percent. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.30 percent.

"Tuesday's Consumer Price Index report indicated inflation may be cooling down; headline consumer price inflation was 2.2 percent year-over-year in February,” said Len Kiefer, Deputy Chief Economist for Freddie Mac. “Following this news, the 10-year Treasury fell slightly. Mortgage rates followed Treasurys and ended a nine-week surge. The U.S. weekly average 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell two basis points to 4.44 percent in this week's survey, its first decline this year."

Also this week, the 15-year FRM averaged 3.90 percent with an average 0.5 point, down from last week when it averaged 3.94 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 3.50 percent. The five-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 3.67 percent this week with an average 0.4 point, up from last week when it averaged 3.63. A year ago at this time, the five-year ARM averaged 3.28 percent.

Freddie Mac has released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS), showing the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) sliding after nine consecutive weeks of increases

About the author

NationalMortgageProfessional.com

Link copied

Published

Mar 15, 2018

People On The Move

Atlantic Bay Taps Lindsay Barbera To Lead Louisiana Expansion

Mortgage veteran will lead lender’s first Louisiana branch as Atlantic Bay continues expanding across the South

Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group has tapped mortgage industry veteran Lindsay Barbera to lead its newly launched Louisiana operation, marking the lender's first expansion into the state.Barbera, a Baton Rouge native with more than 20 years of mortgage industry experience, will se...

People On The Move

UWM Names Vandy Fartaj Its First Chief Investment Officer

Former CrossCountry and Pennymac executive takes newly created role overseeing capital markets and investment strategy

United Wholesale Mortgage has named mortgage banking and capital markets veteran Vandad “Vandy” Fartaj as its first chief investment officer, creating a new executive position focused on capital markets, investment strategy, and portfolio management.Fartaj brings roughly thr...

Oct

Denver, CO

More from

Industry News

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

MPF Expands Eligibility For Manufactured And Renovation Loans

The Mortgage Partnership Finance Program has expanded MPF Traditional eligibility for affordable loans, manufactured homes, renovations, and lender-funded assistance

Industry News

Sep 22, 2026