Bankrate: Mortgage Rates Set New Low

NEW YORK, Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Mortgage rates moved lower this week, with the average conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate hitting another record low of 4.53 percent, according to Bankrate.com's weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.42 discount and origination points.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20040122/FLTHLOGO )

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040122/FLTHLOGO )

To see mortgage rates in your area, go to http://www.bankrate.com/funnel/mortgages/. The average 15-year fixed mortgage retreated to 4.05 percent, and the larger jumbo 30-year fixed rate dropped to 5.17 percent, both record lows. Adjustable rate mortgages were mixed, with the average 5-year ARM nosing higher to 3.86 percent and the average 7-year ARM drifting lower to 4.16 percent.  

Nervousness about the economy brought mortgage rates lower, as has consistently been the case since May. An upcoming jobs report promises to add further volatility to mortgage rates. While low mortgage rates have produced a surge in refinancing activity, they aren't packing the same punch on home purchases because would-be buyers are saddled with existing homes they can't sell, are nervous about their jobs, or remain convinced that home prices have further to fall.

The last time mortgage rates were above 6 percent was Nov. 2008. At that time, the average rate was 6.33 percent, meaning a $200,000 loan would have carried a monthly payment of $1,241.86. With the average rate now 4.53 percent, the monthly payment for the same size loan would be $1,016.94, a savings of almost $225 per month for a homeowner refinancing now.

SURVEY RESULTS

30-year fixed: 4.53% -- down from 4.59% last week (avg. points: 0.42)

15-year fixed: 4.05% -- down from 4.08% last week (avg. points: 0.40)

5/1 ARM: 3.86% -- up from 3.85% last week (avg. points: 0.30)

Bankrate's national weekly mortgage survey is conducted each Wednesday from data provided by the top 10 banks and thrifts in the top 10 markets.

For a full analysis of this week's move in mortgage rates, go to http://www.bankrate.com.

The survey is complemented by Bankrate's weekly Rate Trend Index, in which a panel of mortgage experts predicts which way the rates are headed over the next seven days. Just more than half of the panelists, 52 percent, say mortgage rates aren't headed anywhere and will remain more or less unchanged. The remaining respondents are evenly split, with 24 percent forecasting still lower mortgage rates and 24 percent predicting mortgage rates will rise in the next week.  

For the full mortgage Rate Trend Index, go to http://www.bankrate.com/RTI

About Bankrate, Inc.

The Bankrate network of companies includes Bankrate.com, Interest.com, Mortgage-calc.com, Nationwide Card Services, Savingforcollege.com, Fee Disclosure, InsureMe CreditCardGuide.com, Bankaholic, Bargaineering, CreditCards.com and NetQuote.  Each of these businesses helps consumers to make informed decisions about their personal finance matters. The company's flagship brand, Bankrate.com is a destination site of personal finance channels, including banking, investing, taxes, debt management and college finance. Bankrate.com is the leading aggregator of rates and other information on more than 300 financial products, including mortgages, credit cards, new and used auto loans, money market accounts and CDs, checking and ATM fees, home equity loans and online banking fees. Bankrate.com reviews more than 4,800 financial institutions in 575 markets in 50 states. Bankrate.com provides financial applications and information to a network of more than 75 partners, including Yahoo! (Nasdaq: YHOO), America Online (NYSE: AOL), The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times (NYSE: NYT). Bankrate.com's information is also distributed through more than 500 newspapers.  Bankrate, Inc. was acquired by Apax Partners, one of the world's leading private equity investment groups, in September 2009.  Apax operates across the United States, Europe and Asia and has more than 30 years of investing experience. For more information on Apax, visit: www.Apax.com.

NOTE TO EDITORS: The information contained in this release is available for print or broadcast with attribution to Bankrate.com

SOURCE Bankrate, Inc.