Aug 31, 2012 | Mortgage Rates
After 4 weeks of rising costs, Worcester County area mortgage rates finally recede.
According to Freddie Mac’s weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey, the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate dropped 7 basis points to 3.59% this week. Depending on where you live, however, you may find that your offered mortgage rates varies. Freddie Mac’s “published rate” is a national average based on a survey of more 125 banks.
The rates you receive as an individual vary by bank, and vary by region.
Mortgage applicants in the North Central Region were most likely to get the lowest rates of all applicants nationwide last week. By contrast, applicants in the Southeast Region were most likely to get the highest rates. (more…)
Aug 17, 2012 | Mortgage Rates
Mortgage rates in Worcester County area keep on rising.
According to Freddie Mac’s weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey, for the third straight week, the 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate rose, this time tacking on 3 basis points on a week-over-week basis to 3.62%, on average, nationwide. The 3.62% mortgage rate is available to mortgage applicants willing to pay 0.6 discount points plus a full set of closing costs.
Freddie Mac’s published mortgage rates are compiled from a 125-bank survey.
Looking back, it appears that national 30-year fixed rate mortgage rates bottomed at 3.49% in late-July. In the weeks leading up to that bottom, mortgage rates had dropped in 11 of 12 weeks. Since then, however, mortgage rate have increased steadily, climbing to a 7-week high, depending on where you live. (more…)
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…)
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…)
