Low Mortgage Rates Entice Buyers – Home Sales at Highest Pace in 9 Years
Near record low mortgage rates have enticed home buyers this spring, sending existing home sales to their fastest pace in nine years. 30 year mortgage rates are averaging 3.73 percent today, about 30 basis points above the all-time record low set three years ago.
The National Association of REALTORS® reported existing home sales are up 1.8 percent month-over-month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.53 million in May. This is the third consecutive month for gains in existing-home sales. Home sales are now up 4.5 percent from a year ago and are at the highest annual pace since February 2007, at the height of the housing boom.
Mortgage rates are expected to stay near these current low levels for the rest of 2016. Low rates will continue to spur home sales this year. While home sales are strong, the low number of homes available for sale continues to hamper many markets.
The high demand for homes and the low supply of homes available for sale has sent housing prices higher. In fact, the median sales price for all housing types climbed to an all-time high of $239,700 in May. The median sales prices is up 4.7 percent from a year earlier.
Low refinance rates are also enticing homeowners who have a mortgage to refinance their loan. The Mortgage Bankers Association® reported mortgage applications are up 35 percent from a year ago. The refinance share of all mortgage application activity increased to 57.7 percent.
Lender
APR
Rate
Cost & Fees
Notes
30 yr fixed Mortgage Loan from First Internet Bank
30 yr fixed mtg refi Mortgage Loan from Northwest Federal Credit Union
Northwest Federal Credit Union
300000
Refinance
4.840
4.750
USD
Northwest Federal Credit Union
4.840%
12/5/2018
4.750%
at 1.000 pts 45 day lock rate
Est payment: $1,564.94
Fees in APR: $79
30 yr fixed mtg refi Mortgage Loan from Santander Bank, N.A.
Santander Bank, N.A.
300000
Refinance
4.934
4.875
USD
Santander Bank, N.A.
4.934%
12/11/2018
4.875%
at 0.000 pts 60 day lock rate
Est payment: $1,587.62
Fees in APR: $2,004
30 yr fixed mtg refi Mortgage Loan from Fulton Bank, NA
Fulton Bank, NA
300000
Refinance
4.926
4.875
USD
Fulton Bank, NA
4.926%
12/11/2018
4.875%
at 0.250 pts 60 day lock rate
Est payment: $1,587.62
Fees in APR: $1,007
30 yr fixed mtg refi Mortgage Loan from State Department Federal Credit Union
State Department Federal Credit Union
300000
Refinance
4.683
4.625
USD
State Department Federal Credit Union
4.683%
12/10/2018
4.625%
at 0.000 pts 60 day lock rate
Est payment: $1,542.42
Fees in APR: $2,000
30 yr fixed mtg refi Mortgage Loan from LincolnWay Community Bank
LincolnWay Community Bank
300000
Refinance
4.781
4.750
USD
LincolnWay Community Bank
4.781%
12/11/2018
4.750%
at 0.000 pts 30 day lock rate
Est payment: $1,564.94
Fees in APR: $1,085
30 yr fixed mtg refi Mortgage Loan from Apple Federal Credit Union
Apple Federal Credit Union
300000
Refinance
4.848
4.750
USD
Apple Federal Credit Union
4.848%
12/5/2018
4.750%
at 1.000 pts 60 day lock rate
Est payment: $1,564.94
Fees in APR: $352
30 yr fixed mtg refi Mortgage Loan from Virginia Credit Union
Virginia Credit Union
300000
Refinance
4.820
4.750
USD
Virginia Credit Union
4.820%
12/11/2018
4.750%
at 0.250 pts 45 day lock rate
Est payment: $1,564.94
Fees in APR: $1,650
30 yr fixed mtg refi Mortgage Loan from TD Bank, NA
TD Bank, NA
300000
Refinance
4.778
4.750
USD
TD Bank, NA
4.778%
12/7/2018
4.750%
at 0.000 pts 45 day lock rate
Est payment: $1,564.94
Fees in APR: $982
30 yr fixed mtg refi Mortgage Loan from Bank of America
Bank of America
300000
Refinance
4.723
4.625
USD
Bank of America
4.723%
12/5/2018
4.625%
at 0.699 pts 60 day lock rate
Est payment: $1,542.42
Fees in APR: $1,289
30 yr fixed mtg refi Mortgage Loan from Citizens Bank, NA
Citizens Bank, NA
300000
Refinance
4.927
4.875
USD
Citizens Bank, NA
4.927%
12/7/2018
4.875%
at 0.125 pts 60 day lock rate
Est payment: $1,587.62
Fees in APR: $1,408
30 yr fixed mtg refi Mortgage Loan from Bank of Oak Ridge
Bank of Oak Ridge
300000
Refinance
4.922
4.875
USD
Bank of Oak Ridge
4.922%
12/6/2018
4.875%
at 0.250 pts 60 day lock rate
Est payment: $1,587.62
Fees in APR: $853
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The rates above were collected by Bankrate.com on the dates specified. Rates are subject to change without notice and may vary from branch to branch. Rate/APR and terms may vary based on the creditworthiness of the individual and the extent to which the loan differs from the one used for Bankrate.com quotes. For criteria used in surveys of rates above, click here. These quotes are from banks, thrifts, and brokers, some of whom have paid for a link to their own Web site, where you can find additional information.
