Freddie Mac expect rates to continue to rise
Mortgage rates inched forward during the week ending Oct. 25, increasing slightly across the board, according to the Primary Mortgage Market Survey released by Freddie Mac.
Rates for the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.86%, with an average 0.5 point, up from their previous 4.85% average. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.94% in the same period in 2017.
The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.29%, with an average 0.4 point, up from 4.26%. A year ago at this time, the mortgage averaged 3.25%.
The average rate for the 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) increased to 4.14%, with an average 0.3 point, up from its previous 4.10% average. The 5-year ARM averaged 3.21% in the same week last year.
“Despite volatility in the stock market, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage inched forward just one basis point to 4.86% this week,” Freddie Mac Chief Economist Sam Khater said. “We expect rates to continue to rise, which will put downward pressure on homebuying activity. While higher borrowing costs will keep some people out of the market, buyers with more flexibility could take advantage of the decreased competition.”
