Freddie Mac: Little Change in Mortgage Rates in December 26th Report

Freddie Mac released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey^® (“PMMS”^®), showing that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (“FRM”) averaged 3.74 percent.

“The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate saw little change again this week and averaged just 3.9% during 2019, the fourth lowest annual average level since 1971 when Freddie Mac started its weekly survey,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist.

Khater continued, “Heading into 2020, low mortgage rates and the improving economy will be the major drivers of the housing market with steady increases in home sales, construction and home prices. While the outlook for the housing market is bright, worsening housing affordability is no longer a coastal phenomenon and is spreading to many interior markets and it is a threat to the continued recovery in housing and the economy.”

News Facts

– 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.74 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending December 26, 2019, little changed from last week. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.55 percent.

– 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.19 percent with an average 0.7 point, unchanged from last week. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 4.01 percent.

– 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (“ARM”) averaged 3.45 percent with an average 0.3 point, up from last week when it averaged 3.37 percent. A year ago at this time, the 5-year ARM averaged 4.0 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 link for the Definitions. Borrowers may still pay closing costs which are not included in the survey.

Freddie Mac makes home possible for millions of families and individuals by providing mortgage capital to lenders. Since our creation by Congress in 1970, we’ve made housing more accessible and affordable for homebuyers and renters in communities nationwide. We are building a better housing finance system for homebuyers, renters, lenders, investors and taxpayers. Learn more at FreddieMac.com, Twitter @FreddieMac and Freddie Mac’s blog FreddieMac.com/blog.

Contact:

Angela Waugaman – Angela_Waugaman@FreddieMac.com – (703) 714-4829

Source: Freddie Mac