Freddie Mac released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS®) showing that mortgage rates decreased slightly for the second consecutive week, Freddie announced in a release.
Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist, says mortgage rates remained mostly flat over the past week, which has been the dominant theme since late spring.
“This stability in borrowing costs comes despite the highest core inflation rates since 2008 and turbulence in the currency markets,” Khater said in the release. “Unfortunately, this pause in rates is not leading to increasing home sales.”
The report highlighted several facts:
- A 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.53 percent with an average 0.5 point for the week ending August 16, 2018, down from last week when it averaged 4.59 percent. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 3.89 percent.
- A 15-year FRM this week averaged 4.01 percent with an average 0.5 point, down from last week when it averaged 4.05 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 3.16 percent.
- A 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 3.87 percent with an average 0.4 point, down from last week when it with an average 3.90 percent. A year ago at this time, the 5-year ARM averaged 3.16 percent.
“Purchase mortgage applications trailed year ago levels again last week, and it’s clear that in some markets the combination of ascending home prices, limited affordable inventory and this year’s higher rates are curtailing homebuyer demand,” Khater said.