More good news on the mortgage rate front today. Despite the recent 0.25% bump in the Feds rate and many U.S. banks subsequently increasing their prime rate -- the interest lenders charge their most creditworthy customers -- securing a mortgage of any type is a bit more attractive today than last week. Even adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) declined, albeit slightly, which is somewhat surprising given the aforementioned bump in the prime rate.
For today's home shoppers, here are the current average mortgage rates across the U.S., along with where they stood last month.
|
Mortgage Rates (National Average) | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Today |
1 month ago |
|
|
30 year fixed jumbo |
4.65% |
4.26% |
|
30 year fixed |
4.09% |
4.01% |
|
15 year fixed |
3.25% |
3.14% |
|
30 year fixed refi |
4.09% |
4.05% |
|
15 year fixed refi |
3.25% |
3.16% |
|
5/1 ARM |
3.28% |
3.15% |
|
5/1 ARM refi |
3.36% |
3.27% |
|
Data source: Bloomberg. Rates may include points. |
||
Rates aren't quite as attractive as they were a few years ago, but relatively speaking it's still a good time to shop for a mortgage. For some perspective, here are a few of the rates home shoppers enjoyed five years ago.
|
Mortgage Rates (National Average) | |
|---|---|
|
March, 2012 |
|
|
30 year fixed |
3.95% |
|
15 year fixed |
3.20% |
|
1 year ARM |
2.77% |
|
Data source: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac). Rates do not include points. |
|
For those who already own a home and are considering a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or equity loan, not much changed today. A strong housing market has helped to keep average HELOC and equity loan rates fairly stable at 5.13% and 5.21%, respectively. Both HELOC and equity loan rates are still below last month's 5.27% and 5.26%.
