Home buyers and refinancers may want to lock in their rates now. Fixed-rate mortgages inched higher for the second consecutive week amid a stronger employment report, according to Freddie Mac’s weekly mortgage market survey.
Still, mortgage rates are hovering near their all-time low on May 23, 2013, allowing buyers and refinancers an opportunity to lock in a low rate.
Freddie Mac reports the following national averages with mortgage rates for the week ending Feb. 19:
- 30-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 3.76 percent, with an average 0.6 point, rising from last week’s 3.69 percent average. Last year at this time, 30-year rates averaged 4.33 percent.
- 15-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 3.05 percent, with an average 0.6 point, increasing from last week’s 2.99 percent average. A year ago, 15-year rates averaged 3.35 percent.
- 5-year hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages: averaged 2.97 percent, with an average 0.5 point, holding the same from last week. A year ago, 5-year ARMs averaged 3.08 percent.
- 1-year ARMs: averaged 2.45 percent, with an average 0.4 point, rising from last week’s 2.42 percent. A year ago, 1-year ARMs averaged 2.57 percent.
Source: Freddie Mac