Freddie Mac 30-year mortgage rates still trending upward

by CHRISTINE RICCIARDI

Rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgage continued to rise during the week ending Feb. 3, according to Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey.

The average 30-year FRM increased slightly to 4.81%, although the rate remains lower than a year ago when it was 5.01%.

Rates for all other types of mortgages fell compared to one week prior. Rates on 15-year FRMs are down to 4.08% from 4.09% . The average origination point for this type of loan is currently 0.8. The rate for a 15-year FRM was 4.4% one year ago.

According to Freddie Mac, five-year, Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages fell slightly to 3.69% from 3.7% one week ago, while 1-year, Treasury-indexed ARMs stayed flat at 3.26%. During the same week in 2010, the rates for these ARMs were 4.27% and 4.22%, respectively.

Freddie Mac Chief Economist Frank Nothaft commented that rates remained relatively stable following news that the economy improved and inflation remained under control in 2010.

"In the fourth quarter, the economy grew at a 3.2% annualized rate, compared to 2.6% in the third quarter, and was lead by a 4.4% gain in consumer spending," Nothaft said. He added that 2010 housing sustained the most affordable levels since 1971.

The Bankrate survey of large thrifts showed rate increases across the board. The rate for a 30-year FRM increased five basis points to 5.02%, the rate for a 15-year FRMs rose slightly to 4.29% and the rate for a 5-year ARM was unchanged at 3.84%.

URL to original article: http://www.housingwire.com/2011/02/03/freddie-mac-30-year-mortgage-rates-still-trending-upward