Current Fixed Mortgage Rates Make Another All-Time Low Today

Already low current mortgage rates are making new all-time lows week after week. Today Freddie Mac reported both 30 year and 15 year fixed mortgage interest rates made another all-time low. We expected rates to fall again this week since a series of weak economic data was released sending bond yields lower which in turn sent mortgage rates lower.

Current mortgage rates on 30 year conforming loans are averaging 3.83% with 0.7 points, down from the previous week's average of 3.84%. Record low rates have spurred a refinance boom over the last couple of years. In fact the majority of mortgage applications last week, 72.1% to be exact, are for homeowners refinancing a current loan according to the most recent Mortgage Application Survey release by the Mortgage Bankers Association.

15 year conforming mortgage interest rates are averaging 3.05% with 0.7 points, another record low, down from the previous record low of 3.07% last week.

Loan Term
Lender
APR / Rate
Fees / Points
Payment
GenNext.Mortgage
NMLS #2326098
License: 60DBO-181478
5.077%
15-Year Fixed
4.875%
$5,533
Includes 0.895 points for $3,580
Lender Fees: $1,953
$3,138 /mo
District Lending
NMLS #1835285
5.204%
15-Year Fixed
4.990%
$5,660
Includes 0.915 points for $3,660
Lender Fees: $2,000
$3,162 /mo
Mutual of Omaha Mortgage, Inc.
NMLS #1025894
5.545%
15-Year Fixed
5.375%
$4,448
Includes 0.937 points for $3,748
Lender Fees: $700
$3,242 /mo
Rocket Mortgage
NMLS #3030
5.886%
15-Year Fixed
5.750%
$3,500
Includes 0.875 points for $3,500
Lender Fees: $0
$3,322 /mo
PenFed Credit Union
NMLS #401822
5.962%
15-Year Fixed
5.750%
$5,500
Includes 0.375 points for $1,500
Lender Fees: $4,000
$3,322 /mo
District Lending
NMLS #1835285
6.013%
30-Year Fixed
5.875%
$6,000
Includes 1.000 points for $4,000
Lender Fees: $2,000
$2,367 /mo
PenFed Credit Union
NMLS #401822
6.048%
30-Year Fixed
5.875%
$7,500
Includes 0.875 points for $3,500
Lender Fees: $4,000
$2,367 /mo
GenNext.Mortgage
NMLS #2326098
License: 60DBO-181478
6.105%
30-Year Fixed
5.990%
$5,125
Includes 0.793 points for $3,172
Lender Fees: $1,953
$2,396 /mo
Mutual of Omaha Mortgage, Inc.
NMLS #1025894
6.231%
30-Year Fixed
6.125%
$4,544
Includes 0.961 points for $3,844
Lender Fees: $700
$2,431 /mo
Rocket Mortgage
NMLS #3030
6.722%
30-Year Fixed
6.625%
$4,000
Includes 1.000 points for $4,000
Lender Fees: $0
$2,562 /mo
GenNext.Mortgage
NMLS #2326098
License: 60DBO-181478
6.761%
5-Year ARM
6.625%
$5,829
Includes 0.969 points for $3,876
Lender Fees: $1,953
$2,562 /mo
District Lending
NMLS #1835285
7.011%
5-Year ARM
6.875%
$5,560
Includes 0.890 points for $3,560
Lender Fees: $2,000
$2,628 /mo
Rate data provided by RateUpdate.com. Displayed by ICB, a division of Mortgage Research Center, NMLS #1907, Equal Housing Opportunity. Payments do not include taxes and insurance premiums. Actual payments will be greater with taxes and insurance included. Rate and product details.

Freddie Mac's rates in the Primary Mortgage Market Survey are average rates; you can find lenders offering rates even lower than the averages. Right now on our rate tables there are many lenders offering 15 year interest rates below 3.00%.

If you're looking into refinancing you should really consider a 15 year loan over a 30 year loan. The monthly payments will be higher but you'll save ton of money in interest payments.

Rates on adjustable mortgages were mixed in this week's survey. 5 year adjustable mortgage rates are down to 2.81% with 0.5 points, down from last week's average rate of 2.85%. 1 year adjustable mortgage rates are higher averaging 2.73% with 0.5 points, up from last week's average rate of 2.70%.

I personally wouldn't chose an adjustable rate mortgage over a fixed rate mortgage since fixed rate mortgages are so low. You might argue an adjustable rate loan is better for someone who is planning to stay in their home for only a few years.  Current 5 year adjustable rates are about 1.00% lower than 30 year rates.

I would argue if you're only planning on staying in a home for a few years don't buy rent. While rates are low housing prices are still falling overall.

There are some areas that are once again seeing home prices increase but the increases will be small, probably not enough to outweigh the expenses of buying and selling. Between closing costs and the 5% to 6% broker fee you pay when selling any price gain will be wiped out.

 
Author: Brian McKay
May 10th, 2012

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