Mortgage Rates Mixed, 30-Year Fixed Averages 3.37 Percent

MCLEAN, Va., Dec. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --  Freddie Mac (OTC: FMCC) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS ®), showing fixed mortgage rates mixed following data reports on inflation and the housing construction market. The 30-year fixed moved up averaging 3.37 percent, while the 15-year fixed eased to 2.65 percent, both remaining near their record lows.

News Facts

• 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 3.37 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending December 20, 2012, up from last week when it averaged 3.32 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 3.91 percent. 
• 15-year FRM this week averaged 2.65 percent with an average 0.7 point, down from last week when it averaged 2.66 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 3.21 percent. 
• 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 2.71 percent this week with an average 0.7 point, up from last week when it averaged 2.70 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 2.85 percent.                                                                  
• 1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 2.52 percent this week with an average 0.4 point, down from last week when it averaged 2.53. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 2.77 percent.  

Average commitment rates should be reported along with average fees and points to reflect the total upfront cost of obtaining the mortgage. Visit the following links for Regional and National Mortgage Rate Details and Definitions. Borrowers may still pay closing costs which are not included in the survey.

QuotesAttributed to Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, Freddie Mac.

"Mortgage rates were mixed this week following data reports on stable inflation and a thriving home construction market. The 12-month growth in the core consumer price index has remained between 1.9 and 2.1 percent for the past five consecutive months ending in November. Meanwhile, housing starts averaged the strongest three months in November since September 2008, and homebuilder confidence rose in December to its highest reading since April 2008."

Get the latest information from Freddie Mac's Office of the Chief Economist on Twitter: @FreddieMac

Freddie Mac was established by Congress in 1970 to provide liquidity, stability and affordability to the nation's residential mortgage markets. Freddie Mac supports communities across the nation by providing mortgage capital to lenders. Today Freddie Mac is making home possible for one in four homebuyers and is one of the largest sources of financing for multifamily housing. www.FreddieMac.com.

SOURCE Freddie Mac

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