Bankrate: Mortgage Rates Hit 4th Record in a Row!

/PRNewswire/ -- Mortgage rates moved lower this week, with the average conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate hitting another record low of 4.57 percent, according to Bankrate.com's weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.48 discount and origination points.

To see mortgage rates in your area, go to http://www.bankrate.com/funnel/mortgages.

The average 15-year fixed mortgage retreated to 4.06 percent, and the larger jumbo 30-year fixed rate dropped to 5.27 percent, both record lows. Adjustable rate mortgages were mixed, with the average 3-year ARM nosing higher to 4.18 percent and the average 5-year ARM dipping to 3.92 percent.

The latest decline in mortgage rates followed a poor jobs report for July and the Federal Reserve's announcement about reinvesting bond proceeds in order to juice the economy. By reinvesting in more government bonds, the Fed aims to keep rates near these ultra-low levels. But low rates alone won't revive the housing market as would-be borrowers remain worried about job loss, don't have equity in their homes, or lack sufficient money for a downpayment.

The last time mortgage rates were above 6 percent was Nov. 2008. At that time, the average rate was 6.33 percent, meaning a $200,000 loan would have carried a monthly payment of $1,241.86. With the average rate now 4.57 percent, the monthly payment for the same size loan would be $1,021.71, a savings of $220 per month for a homeowner refinancing now.

SURVEY RESULTS
30-year fixed: 4.57% -- down from 4.66% last week (avg. points: 0.48)
15-year fixed: 4.06% -- down from 4.11% last week (avg. points: 0.42)
5/1 ARM: 3.92% -- down from 3.95% last week (avg. points: 0.28)

Bankrate's national weekly mortgage survey is conducted each Wednesday from data provided by the top 10 banks and thrifts in the top 10 markets.

For a full analysis of this week's move in mortgage rates, go to http://www.bankrate.com/.

The survey is complemented by Bankrate's weekly Rate Trend Index, in which a panel of mortgage experts predicts which way the rates are headed over the next seven days. Nearly half of the panelists, 47 percent, say mortgage rates aren't headed anywhere and will remain more or less unchanged. But 40 percent forecast still lower mortgage rates and just 13 percent predict mortgage rates will rise in the next week.

-----
Community News You Can Use
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
Follow us on Twitter:  @GAFrontPage