Realty Times June 2, 2010

Mortgage Rates Even Keel, Still at Record Low
by Ed Ferrara

FreeRateUpdate.com research of wholesale lenders' mortgage rate sheets for brokers shows 30 year fixed mortgages are available today at 4.5% for well-qualified borrowers paying the industry standard 1 point origination. Today's 30 year fixed rate matches an all time record low, first set in December of last year. Borrowers are getting a better chance this time around to lock in a record low rate, over a weeks time. Conventional 15 year fixed mortgages are available at 4% today. Home Savings of America told FreeRateUpdate.com Friday that they're "squeezing out 3.875% for the highest qualified applicants". Conventional 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages are available at 3.5%.

FHA mortgage rates now mirror conforming mortgage rates across the board. While FHA mortgages have similar rates and origination, it should be noted APR (closing cost) is higher because of MI and other FHA fees.

Jumbo mortgage rates, for true jumbo mortgages that exceed county "jumbo conforming" loan limits, remain at an all time low. Today a well-qualified borrower can obtain a super jumbo 30 year fixed mortgage at an interest rate of 5.375%.

Wells Fargo, still the number one originator of residential mortgages in the US, is advertising a 30 year fixed rate of 4.875% with an APR of 5.065% on their website today. Wells Fargo mortgage rates haven't been adjusted in over one week.

Mortgage-backed securities prices have been helped in recent weeks by investors buying bonds trying to dodge stock losses. As MBS prices rise, mortgage rates, which move the opposite, decline.

Today's Mortgage Rates - available to well-qualified consumers paying a standard .07 to 1 point origination.

  • 30-yr fixed-rate - 4.500%

  • 15-yr fixed-rate - 4.000%

  • 5/1 ARM rate - 3.500%

  • FHA 30-yr fixed-rate - 4.500%

  • FHA 15-yr fixed-rate - 4.00%

  • FHA 5/1 ARM rate - 3.500%

  • VA 30-yr fixed-rate - 4.625%

  • Jumbo 30-yr fixed-rate - 5.375%

  • Jumbo Conforming 30-yr fixed-rate - 4.750%

FreeRateUpdate.com researches over 2 dozen wholesale lenders' rate sheets for brokers daily to determine the most accurate rates available to well-qualified borrowers at a standard origination fee of about 1 point. These rates are commonly referred to as "par rates" by loan officers.



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