Mortgage Rates Edge Higher Again

Mortgage rates inched higher for the third consecutive week, but potential home buyers shouldn’t sweat it too much. Mortgage rates are still hovering below levels from a year ago. Freddie Mac reports the following national averages with mortgage rates for the week ending March 17:

• 30-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 3.73 percent, with an average 0.5 point, rising from last week’s 3.68 percent average. Last year at this time, 30-year rates averaged 3.78 percent.
• 15-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 2.99 percent, with an average 0.4 point, increasing from last week’s 2.96 percent average. A year ago, 15-year rates averaged 3.06 percent.
• 5-year hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages: averaged 2.93 percent, with an average 0.5 point, increasing from last week’s 2.92 percent average. A year ago, 5-year ARMs averaged 2.97 percent.

Average commitment rates should be reported along with average fees and points to reflect the total upfront cost of obtaining the mortgage. Visit the following link for the Definitions. Borrowers may still pay closing costs which are not included in the survey. Source: Freddie Mac Freddie Mac was established by Congress in 1970 to provide liquidity, stability and affordability to the nation's residential mortgage markets. Freddie Mac supports communities across the nation by providing mortgage capital to lenders. Today Freddie Mac is making home possible for one in four home borrowers and is the largest source of financing for multifamily housing.