Thursday, February 26, 2009

Mortgage Rates Inch Up

The 30-year fixed rate increases to 5.41%, as government issues massive amounts of debt to finance spending.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Mortgage rates rose over the past week, as home prices and sales fell and the government issues massive amounts of debt to pay for federal spending.

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rose to 5.41% for the week ended Feb. 25 from 5.34% the week prior, according to Bankrate.com. The average jumbo 30-year fixed rate slipped to 6.87% from 6.92%.

It's likely mortgage rates will remain at their historically low levels, as money is funneled into the perceived safety of Treasurys, driving down interest rates and keeping mortgage rates low, according to Patrick Newport, an economist at IHS Global Insight.

"As long as the economy remains weak, mortgage rates are probably not going to go up very much," Newport said.

The average 15-year fixed rate mortgage was unchanged at 4.93%.

Adjustable-rate mortgages were mixed, with the 1-year ARM increasing to 5.58% from 5.47%; the 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgage rose to 5.4% from 5.37%.

This week, the Treasury is offering a record $94 billion debt over three days, including $22 billion in 7-year notes being auctioned Thursday.

In January, sales of newly constructed homes fell 10%, to the lowest level on record, while the median sales price of new houses sold fell 15% from a year ago, according to a government report.

Thank you for checking out my blog if you or someone you know is going through a hardship and they are having trouble paying there mortgage please have them contact me. I can help call me direct 562-685-8159

Robert Vaughan
Vice President

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