Maybe it’s time for a little Valentine’s Day gift for loan originators and home buyers. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) dipped again to an average of 6.87% for the week ending February 13, according to Freddie Mac’s latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS).
Meanwhile, the 15-year FRM averaged 6.09%, up from last week when it averaged 6.05%. That’s still less, though, than the 6.12% average for the 15-year FRM at this time in 2024.
Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist, expressed optimism at the latest FRM figures. “Recent mortgage rate stability is benefitting potential buyers, as purchase demand is stronger than this time last year,” he stated in a release. "This is an indication that a thaw in buyer activity could be on the horizon.”
Many have predicted rate volatility this year. Three weeks ago, the 30-year FRM broke a five-week upward trajectory and dropped to an average of 6.96%, with an ever-so-slight decrease to 6.95% the following week and larger decline to 6.89% the next.
That came on the heels of a five-week increasing trend stretching back to Dec. 19, according to the GSE’s PMMS. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.77%.
The survey showed the 30-year FRM averaged:
- 6.87% on Feb. 13, 2025;
- 6.89% on Feb. 6, 2025;
- 6.95% on Jan. 30, 2025;
- 6.96% on Jan. 23, 2025;
- 7.04% on Jan. 16, 2025;
- 6.93% on Jan. 9, 2025;
- 6.91% on Jan. 2, 2025;
- 6.85% on Dec. 26, 2024; and
- 6.72% on Dec. 19, 2024.
Meanwhile, the 15-year FRM has followed similar trends, though it diverged this week. It has averaged:
- 6.09% on Feb. 13, 2025;
- 6.05% on Feb. 6, 2025;
- 6.12% on Jan. 30, 2025;
- 6.16% on Jan. 23, 2025;
- 6.27% on Jan. 16, 2025;
- 6.14% on Jan. 9, 2025;
- 6.13% on Jan. 2, 2025;
- 6.0% on Dec. 26, 2024; and
- 5.92% on Dec. 19, 2024.
Freddie Mac notes that the PMMS is focused on conventional, conforming, fully amortizing home purchase loans for borrowers who put 20% down and have excellent credit.
