The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell slightly this week, a temporary retreat after weeks of steady increases. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5.25%, Freddie Mac reports. Rates dropped following the 10-year Treasury yield trend this week. Last week’s average was 5.30%.
“Economic uncertainty is causing mortgage rate volatility,” says Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “As a result, purchase demand is waning, and homebuilder sentiment has dropped to the lowest level in nearly two years. Builders are also dealing with rising costs, meaning this posture is likely to continue.”
Freddie Mac reports the following national averages with mortgage rates for the week ending May 19:
- 30-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 5.25%, with an average 0.9 point, dropping from last week’s 5.30% average. Last year at this time, 30-year rates averaged 3%.
- 15-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 4.43%, with an average 0.9 point, falling from last week’s 4.48% average. A year ago, 15-year rates averaged 2.29%.
- 5-year adjustable-rate mortgages: averaged 4.08%, with an average 0.2 point, rising from last week’s 3.98% average. A year ago, 5-year ARMs averaged 2.59%.
Freddie Mac reports commitment rates along with average points to better reflect the total upfront cost of obtaining the mortgage.