McLEAN, VA -- Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 5.94 percent with an average 0.6 point for the week ending October 9, 2008, down from last week when it averaged 6.10 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.40 percent.

The 15-year FRM this week averaged 5.63 percent with an average 0.6 point, down from last week when it averaged 5.78 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 6.06 percent.

Five-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) averaged 5.90 percent this week, with an average 0.6 point, down from last week when it averaged 6.00 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 6.12 percent.

One-year Treasury-indexed ARMs averaged 5.15 percent this week with an average 0.6 point, up from last week when it averaged 5.12 percent. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 5.73 percent.

"Longer-term mortgage rates fell for the first time in three weeks, roughly following bond market yields," said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist. "Meanwhile, the latest housing market data showed some pickup in home purchase activity in August. Pending existing home sales in August rose 7.4 percent, reflecting the largest monthly increase since October 2001, and July’s figures had an upward revision, according to the National Association of Realtors."

"More recently mortgage applications for both home purchases and refinancing grew slightly over the week ending October 3rd, reversing a two-week decline, based on figures from the Mortgage Bankers Association."

Published: October 10, 2008

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