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U.S. Mortgage Interest Rates Decline to Near All-time Low

Written by Rich Rosa | Jul 2, 2016 1:21:41 PM

Turmoil in the financial markets around the world after the "Brexit" vote put downward pressure on already-low mortgage interest rates in the United States for the week ending June 30, 2016, Freddie Mac reported June 30, 2016 in its weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey. 

The average 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage loan, with an average 0.5 point, declined to 3.48 percent, the lowest level in 2016 and just 17 basis points above the all-time low of 3.31 percent reached in November 2012. The 30-year note is down 8 basis points to 3.56 percent from last week. The average mortgage interest rate was 4.08 percent during the same week last year.

"In the wake of the 'Brexit' vote, the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury bond plummeted 24 basis points," Freddie Mac chief economist Sean Becketti said. "The 30-year mortgage rate declined as well, but not by as much, falling 8 basis points to 3.48 percent. This week's survey rate is the lowest since May 2013 and only 17 basis points above the all-time low recorded in November 2012. This extremely low mortgage rate should support solid home sales and refinancing volume this summer."

The 15-year, fixed-rate mortgage loan, with an average 0.4 point, decreased 5 basis points to 2.78 percent for the week ending June 30, 2016 from 2.83 percent the previous week. A year ago the 15-year home loan average 3.24 percent. 

The 5-year, adjustable-rate mortgage averaged 2.70 percent compared to 2.74 percent the previous week and 2.99 percent the previous year.

It is important for homebuyers, especially first-time homebuyers, to understand that there are different loan programs, and the lowest interest rate loans might not be the best mortgages for your particular circumstances. Finding an experienced Massachusetts mortgage professional who will answer your questions and take the time to understand your circumstances is an important part of the home-buying process.