Freddie Mac 30-year mortgage rates back on the rise

by CHRISTINE RICCIARDI

Mortgage rates for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages are back on the rise after two consecutive weeks of decline, according to Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey. The rate for that type of mortgage came in at 4.74% for the week ending Jan. 20.

The rate was 4.71% one week ago and 4.99% one year ago.

Despite the increase, rates on 15-year FRMs decreased from one week prior, down to 4.05% from 4.08%. The average origination point for this type of loan is currently 0.8. The rate for a 15-year FRM was 4.40% one year ago.

Short-term mortgage rates also showed mixed results last week. Five-year, Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable rate mortgages dropped to 3.69% from 3.72% the week prior, while 1-year, Treasury-indexed ARMs increased two basis points to 3.25%. A year ago, the rates for these ARMs were 4.27% and 4.32%, respectively.

Freddie Mac Chief Economist Frank Nothaft commented that rates generally remained stable alongside reports that other economic factors were stable also.

Mortgage rates were little changed during the holiday week amid reports that inflation remains tame," Nothaft said. "Compared to December 2009, core consumer prices rose at a 0.8% rate, the smallest yearly increase since records began in 1958."

The Bankrate survey of large thrifts found similar results. The rate for a 30-year FRM increased one bps to 4.95%, the rate for a 15-year FRMs stayed flat at 4.29% and the rate for a 5-year ARM increased 2 bps to 3.86%.

URL to original article: http://www.housingwire.com/2011/01/20/freddie-mortgage-rates-back-on-the-rise