LendingTree Weekly Mortgage Rate Pulse Reveals Rates on the Rise

Despite Rising Rates, Home Affordability at All-Time High

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Dec 08, 2010, 01:21 ET

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Dec. 8, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Average mortgage rates increased week over week, according to the LendingTree Weekly Mortgage Rate Pulse, a snapshot of the lowest and average mortgage rates available within the LendingTree network of lenders.

On December 7, average home loan rates offered by LendingTree network lenders increased week-over-week to 4.83 percent (5.07% APR) for 30-year fixed mortgages, 4.19 percent (4.59% APR) for 15-year fixed mortgages and 3.62 percent (3.82% APR) for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages (ARM).

On the same day, the lowest mortgage rates offered by lenders on the LendingTree network were 4.25 percent (4.39% APR) for a 30-year fixed mortgage, 3.75 percent (3.99% APR) for a 15-year fixed mortgage and 2.75 percent (3.18% APR) for a 5/1 ARM. 30-year fixed mortgage rates increased one-eighth of a percent week-over-week, while 15-year fixed rates increased one-quarter percent. Rates for 5/1 ARMs remained flat.

"Tax incentives and the extension of unemployment benefits, although political chess pieces are significantly impacting the mortgage market and causing rates to rise," said Cameron Findlay, LendingTree chief economist. "Despite this rise, home affordability levels are the highest they've ever been. For those renting it is a good time to evaluate the option of buying a home and for growing families to consider trading up."

Below is a state-by-state comparison of mortgage data including a snapshot of the lowest 30-year fixed rates offered by lenders on the LendingTree network, average loan-to-value ratio and percentage of consumers with negative equity.


STATE-BY-STATE MORTGAGE DATA 12/8/10 *Updated Quarterly
STATE	LOWEST MORTGAGE RATE	LOAN-TO-VALUE RATIO*	% WITH NEGATIVE EQUITY*
Alabama	4.38 % (4.50% APR)	67%	9.8%
Alaska	4.38% (4.57% APR)	67%	10.6%
Arizona	4.38% (4.51% APR)	94%	50%
Arkansas	4.38% (4.57% APR)	74%	12%
California	4.38% (4.50% APR)	70%	32.8%
Colorado	4.38% (4.51% APR)	72%	19.7%
Connecticut	4.25% (4.36% APR)	58%	12%
Delaware	4.25% (4.36% APR)	68%	13.5%
District of Columbia	4.38% (4.57% APR)	59%	15.5%
Florida	4.25% (4.39% APR)	90%	46.4%
Georgia	4.25% (4.39% APR)	80%	28.1%
Hawaii	4.38% (4.57% APR)	55%	10.7%
Idaho	4.38% (4.51% APR)	73%	23.7%
Illinois	4.38% (4.50% APR)	71%	19.7%
Indiana	4.38% (4.56% APR)	70%	11%
Iowa	4.38% (4.57% APR)	67%	8.8%
Kansas	4.25% (4.44% APR)	70%	10.8%
Kentucky	4.25% (4.44% APR)	67%	8.5%
Louisiana	4.25% (4.44% APR)	N/A	23%
Maine	4.38% (4.57% APR)	N/A	23%
Maryland	4.25% (4.48% APR)	69%	22.2%
Massachusetts	4.38% (4.57% APR)	60%	15%
Michigan	4.38% (4.52% APR)	86%	38%
Minnesota	4.25% (4.36% APR)	65%	16.3%
Mississippi	4.25% (4.44% APR)	N/A	23%
Missouri	4.25% (4.44% APR)	71%	15.5%
Montana	4.38% (4.57% APR)	60%	7.7%
Nebraska	4.38% (4.57% APR)	73%	9.3%
Nevada	4.38% (4.57% APR)	120%	68.1%
New Hampshire	4.38% (4.49% APR)	69%	18.4%
New Jersey	4.25% (4.34% APR)	61%	15.4%
New Mexico	4.25% (4.44% APR)	66%	12.2%
New York	4.25% (4.36% APR)	50%	7.1%
North Carolina	4.25% (4.39% APR)	70%	10.4%
North Dakota	4.38% (4.57% APR)	60%	7.4%
Ohio	4.38% (4.50% APR)	74%	19.7%
Oklahoma	4.38% (4.57% APR)	70%	5.8%
Oregon	4.38% (4.54% APR)	69%	15.7%
Pennsylvania	4.25% (4.34% APR)	62%	7.3%
Rhode Island	4.38% (4.57% APR)	62%	20.3%
South Carolina	4.38% (4.51% APR)	71%	14.3%
South Dakota	4.25% (4.37% APR)	N/A	23%
Tennessee	4.25% (4.44% APR)	71%	13.8%
Texas	4.38% (4.50% APR)	70%	11.3%
Utah	4.38% (4.62% APR)	73%	20.4%
Vermont	4.25% (4.44% APR)	N/A	23%
Virginia	4.25% (4.36% APR)	71%	22.7%
Washington	4.38% (4.50% APR)	66%	15.2%
West Virginia	4.38% (4.57% APR)	N/A	23%
Wisconsin	4.38% (4.57% APR)	67%	13.7%
Wyoming	4.38% (4.57% APR)	N/A	23%

Additional refinance mortgage rates are available at http://www.lendingtree.com/mortgage-loans/rates/.

The LendingTree Weekly Mortgage Rate Pulse will be published every Wednesday. Home loan rates above are reflective of actual rates offered to borrowers by lenders on the LendingTree network. Lowest rates shown reflect the payment of one discount point. Rates will vary based on the borrower's loan details and credit profile. Visit www.lendingtree.com to learn more.

About LendingTree, LLC

LendingTree, LLC is the nation's leading online lender exchange and personal finance resource, helping consumers take charge of all their financial decisions, from budgeting to money management to mortgages to credit cards and more. LendingTree provides a marketplace that connects consumers with multiple lenders that compete for their business, as well as an array of online tools to aid consumers in their financial decisions. Since inception, LendingTree has facilitated more than 28 million loan requests and $214 billion in closed loan transactions. LendingTree provides access to lenders offering mortgages and refinance loans, home equity loans/lines of credit, and more. LendingTree, LLC is a subsidiary of Tree.com, Inc. (Nasdaq: TREE). For more information go to www.lendingtree.com, dial 800-555-TREE , join our Facebook page and/or follow us on Twitter @LendingTree.