Jul 6, 2012 | Mortgage Rates
30-year fixed rate mortgage rates made new, all-time lows once again this week.
According to Freddie Mac’s weekly mortgage rate survey of more than 125 banks nationwide, the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate fell 4 basis point to 3.62% nationwide.
The rate is available to conforming, prime borrowers willing to pay an accompanying 0.8 discount points plus a full set of closing costs. A “prime” mortgage applicant typically has excellent credit, verifiable income, and at least 25% equity in their home.
And, it’s not just the 30-year fixed rate mortgage that made new lows in this holiday-shortened week, either. The 15-year fixed rate mortgage did, too, falling 5 basis points to 2.89%, on average.
The 15-year fixed rate mortgage requires 0.7 discount points plus closing costs.
Discount points are a one-time, up-front closing cost, based on loan size. If your loan requires 1 discount point, that means that your loan has a closing cost equal to 1 percent of your loan size. If your loan requires two discount points, the fee would be equal to two percent of your loan size; and so on.
So, based on this week’s Freddie Mac survey, a home buyer in Worcester County area opening a $200,000 mortgage and paying 0.8 discount points would face to a one-time $1,600 fee to be paid at closing.
The good news is that discount points are optional.
To avoid paying discount points, simply ask your lender for a “zero points” loan. You’ll get a higher mortgage rate than what Freddie Mac shows in its survey, but you’ll pay fewer closing costs.
Today’s low rates are terrific for both home buyers throughout Worcester County area and existing homeowners looking to make a refinance. As compared last year at this time, mortgage rates are down by 98 basis points — nearly one full percentage point.
Mortgage payments are much lower today as compared to July 2011 :
- July 2011 : $512.64 principal + interest per $100,000 borrowed
- July 2012 : $455.77 principal + interest per $100,000 borrowed
Today’s rates yield an 11 percent payment discount as compared to last year.
Mortgage rates are unpredictable so there’s no guarantee that low rates will last forever, much less through the summer. If today’s rates meet your household budget, consider locking something in.
Jun 22, 2012 | Mortgage Rates
Mortgage rates have resumed their downward trend.
According to Freddie Mac’s weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey, the national average 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate fell 5 basis points to 3.66% this week. The rate is available to “prime” borrowers who are willing to pay, on average, 0.7 discount points plus a full set of closing costs.
30-year fixed rate mortgage rates are down in seven of the last eight weeks but, depending where you live, the mortgage rates made available to you will vary. The Freddie Mac survey notes that mortgage rates vary by region.
For example, mortgage applicants in the West Region received the lowest rates from lenders, on average, but also paid the highest number of discount points. Discount points are a specific type of closing cost where (more…)
Jun 12, 2012 | Mortgage Rates
It’s a money-saving time to be a Worcester County area home buyer. Historically, mortgage rates of all types — conventional, FHA, VA and USDA — have never been lower and low mortgage rates make for low monthly payments.
According to Freddie Mac’s weekly mortgage rate survey, the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage fell to 3.67% nationwide last week for borrowers willing to pay 0.7 discount points at closing, plus a full set of closing costs. 0.7 discount points is a one-time closing cost equal to 0.7 percent of your loan size, or $700 per $100,000 borrowed.
Today’s mortgage rates are a bargain as compared to just 1 year ago.
In early-June 2011, the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage nationwide was higher by 88 basis points, or 0.88%. If you are among the many U.S. homeowners who bought or refinanced a (more…)
May 25, 2012 | Mortgage Rates
For the fifth consecutive week, conforming 30-year fixed rate mortgage rates have dropped to new all-time lows.
According to this week’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey from Freddie Mac, “prime” mortgage applicants willing to pay 0.8 discount points plus closing costs can secure a mortgage rate of 3.78%, on average.
This is a small improvement in rate over last week when the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate was 3.79% with 0.7 discount points.
1 discount point is equal to 1 percent of your loan size. (more…)
May 15, 2012 | Mortgage Rates
Home affordability is receiving a boost from across the Atlantic Ocean this spring.
For the third time in as many years, a weakening Eurozone is pushing May mortgage rates to new lows throughout Worcester County area and nationwide.
The story centers in Greece and begins in 2010.
2 years ago, it was uncovered that successive Greece governments had purposefully misreported the nation-state’s economic statistics in order to meet European Union standards. The fraudulent data had permitted Greek governments to spend beyond their means while hiding deficits from EU auditors.
The realization that Greece was heavy in debt with little means to repay its creditors resulted in a massive bailout from the IMF and the rest of the Eurozone nations. The terms for Greece said that, in order to receive its €110 billion aid package, Greece would be required to enact strict spending controls.
This is known as “austerity” and the deal was met with outrage by the Greek public. There’s been general social unrest ever since and, on May 6 of this year, Greece held a special “early election” to elect all 300 members to its legislature.
No party won majority in the elections.
7 different groups garnered seats in the parliament last week with anti-austerity groups faring well. It’s spurred concern that Greece will end its bid for fiscal restraint, and that Greece may choose to leave the 17-nation Eurozone.
The uncertainty surrounding Greece is helping U.S. mortgage rates (more…)
May 11, 2012 | Mortgage Rates
Conforming mortgage rates continue to drop.
For the second straight week, the 30-year fixed rate mortgage fell to a new, all-time low nationwide. According to Freddie Mac’s weekly mortgage rate survey, the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate dropped 1 basis point to 3.83% this week for borrowers willing to pay 0.7 discount points plus a full set of closing costs.
The 15-year fixed rate mortgage also set a mortgage rate record, registering 3.05% with an accompanying 0.7 discount plus closing costs.
Discount points are a one-time, up-front closing cost, based on loan size. 0.7 discount points is equal to 0.7% of the borrowed amount. A home buyer in Worcester County area opening a $200,000 mortgage and paying 0.7 discount points, therefore, would (more…)
