FHFA: Mortgage Rates Increased in January

Nationally, interest rates on conventional purchase-money mortgages increased from December to January, according to several indices of new mortgage contracts.

The National Average Contract Mortgage Rate for the Purchase of Previously Occupied Homes by Combined Lenders Index was 4.22 percent for loans closed in late January, up 22 basis points from 4.00 percent in December.

The average interest rate on all mortgage loans was 4.17 percent, up 26 basis points from 3.91 in December.

The average interest rate on conventional, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages of $424,100 or less was 4.37 percent, up 29 basis points from 4.08 in December.

The effective interest rate on all mortgage loans was 4.30 percent in January, up 31 basis points from 3.99 in December. The effective interest rate accounts for the addition of initial fees and charges over the life of the mortgage.

The average loan amount for all loans was $305,400 in January, down $13,700 from $319,100 in December.

FHFA Indices Show Little Movement in Interest Rates

From the Federal Housing Finance Agency:

Nationally, interest rates on conventional purchase-money mortgages were nearly flat from May to June, according to several indices of new mortgage contracts.

The National Average Contract Mortgage Rate for the Purchase of Previously Occupied Homes by Combined Lenders Index was 3.69 percent for loans closed in late June, down 1 basis point from 3.70 percent in May.

The average interest rate on all mortgage loans was 3.70 percent, unchanged from May.

The average interest rate on conventional, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages of $417,000 or less was 3.88 percent, down 1 basis point from 3.89 in May.

The effective interest rate on all mortgage loans was 3.83 percent in June, unchanged from May. The effective interest rate accounts for the addition of initial fees and charges over the life of the mortgage.

The average loan amount for all loans was $333,900 in June, up $4,400 from $329,500 in May.

Federal Housing Finance Agency will release July index values Tuesday, August 30, 2016.

For more information, call David Roderer at (202) 649-3206. To hear recorded index information, call (202) 649-3993. To find the complete contract rate series, go to www.fhfa.gov/Default.aspx?Page=251.

Technical note: The indices are based on a small monthly survey of mortgage lenders, which may not be representative. The sample is not a statistical sample but is rather a convenience sample. Survey respondents were asked to report terms and conditions of all conventional, single-family, fully amortized purchase-money loans closed during the last five working days of the month. Unless otherwise specified, the indices include 15-year mortgages and adjustable-rate mortgages. The indices do not include mortgages guaranteed or insured by either the Federal Housing Administration or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The indices also exclude refinancing loans and balloon loans. June 2016 values are based on 6,487 reported loans from 16 lenders, which include savings associations, mortgage companies, commercial banks, and mutual savings banks.

FHFA Index Shows Mortgage Interest Rates Increase in October

Nationally, interest rates on conventional purchase-money mortgages increased from September to October, according to several indices of new mortgage contracts.

The National Average Contract Mortgage Rate for the Purchase of Previously Occupied Homes by Combined Lenders index was 4.11 percent for loans closed in late October, up 5 basis points from 4.06 percent in September.

The average interest rate on all mortgage loans was 4.11 percent, up 4 basis points from 4.07 in September.

The average interest rate on conventional, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages of $417,000 or less was 4.31 percent, a decrease of 2 basis points from 4.33 in September.

The effective interest rate on all mortgage loans was 4.27 percent in October, up 5 basis points from 4.22 percent in September. The effective interest rate accounts for the addition of initial fees and charges over the life of the mortgage.

The average loan amount for all loans was $285,000 in October, up $4,000 from $281,000 in September.

FHFA Index Shows Mortgage Interest Rates Continue to Rise in August

National data show interest rates on mortgages continued their upward trend. Contract mortgage interest rates increased 0.25 percent from July to August, according to an index of new mortgage contracts.

According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), the National Average Contract Mortgage Rate for the Purchase of Previously Occupied Homes by Combined Lenders index was 4.26 percent for loans closed in late August. The index is calculated using FHFA’s Monthly Interest Rate Survey. The contract rate on the composite of all mortgage loans was 4.25 percent, up 25 basis points from 4.00 in July.

Interest rates are typically locked in 30-45 days before a loan is closed. Consequently, August data reflect market rates from mid-to-late July. The effective interest rate was 4.40 percent, up 28 basis points from 4.12 percent in July. The effective interest rate accounts for the addition of initial fees and charges over the life of the mortgage.

FHFA’s interest rate survey shows the average interest rate on conventional, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages of $417,000 or less was 4.49 in August, an increase of 22 basis points. The average loan amount for all loans was $274,500 in August down $3,700 from $278,200 in July.

FHFA will release September index values October 29, 2013.

FHFA Reports Lower Mortgage Interest Rates

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today reported that the National Average Contract Mortgage Rate for the Purchase of Previously Occupied Homes by Combined Lenders, used as an index in some adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) contracts, was 3.44 percent based on loans closed in October. There was a decrease of 0.12 from the previous month. In March of 2012, FHFA began calculating interest rates using un-weighted survey data. The complete contract rate series can be found at http://www.fhfa.gov/Default.aspx?Page=251.

The average interest rate on conventional, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage loans of $417,000 or less decreased 14 basis points to 3.62 in September. These rates are calculated from the FHFA’s Monthly Interest Rate Survey of purchase-money mortgages (see technical note). These results reflect loans closed during the October 25 - 31 period. Typically, the interest rate is determined 30 to 45 days before the loan is closed. Thus, the reported rates depict market conditions prevailing in mid- to late-September.

The contract rate on the composite of all mortgage loans (fixed- and adjustable-rate) was 3.44 percent in October, down 11 basis points from 3.55 percent in September. The effective interest rate, which reflects the amortization of initial fees and charges, was 3.57 percent in October, down 10 basis points from 3.67 percent in September. This report contains no data on adjustable-rate mortgages due to insufficient sample size.

Initial fees and charges were 1.05 percent of the loan balance in October, up 10 basis points from September. Twenty-one percent of the purchase-money mortgage loans originated in September were "no-point" mortgages, down one percent from the share in September. The average term was 27.5 years in October, up 0.1 years from September. The average loan-to-price ratio in October was 75.8 percent, up 0.2 percent from 75.6 percent in September. The average loan amount was $257,400 in October, up $2800 from $254,600 in September.

FHFA: mortgage rates drop .15 percent in May

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today reported that the National Average Contract Mortgage Rate for the Purchase of Previously Occupied Homes by Combined Lenders, used as an index in some adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) contracts, was 3.78 percent based on loans closed in May. Beginning in March, FHFA is calculating interest rates using unweighted survey data. There was a decrease of 0.15 percent from the previous month.

The average interest rate on conventional, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage loans of $417,000 or less decreased 17 basis points to 4.04 in May. These rates are calculated from the  FHFA’s Monthly Interest Rate Survey of purchase-money mortgages (see technical note).  These results reflect loans closed during the May 25 - 31 period. Typically, the interest rate is determined 30 to 45 days before the loan is closed. Thus, the reported rates depict market conditions prevailing in mid- to late-April.

The contract rate on the composite of all mortgage loans (fixed- and adjustable-rate) was 3.78 percent in May, down 15 basis points from 3.93 percent in April. The effective interest rate, which reflects the amortization of initial fees and charges, was 3.91 percent in May, down 12 basis points from 3.91 percent in April.

This report contains no data on adjustable-rate mortgages due to insufficient sample size.  Initial fees and charges were 1.03 percent of the loan balance in May, up 13 basis points from April. Thirteen percent of the purchase-money mortgage loans originated in May were "no-point" mortgages, down eight percent from the share in April. The average term was 27.7 years in May, up 0.4 years from 27.3 years in April. The average loan-to-price ratio in May was 76.4 percent, up 1.1 percent from 75.3 percent in April. The average loan amount was $263,200 in May, up $7,000 from $256,200 in April.

FHFA: Mortgage Interest Rates Rise .03 Percent in April to 3.93 Percent

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today reported that the National Average Contract Mortgage Rate for the Purchase of Previously Occupied Homes by Combined Lenders, used as an index in some ARM contracts, was 3.93 percent based on loans closed in April. Beginning in March, FHFA is calculating interest rates using un-weighted survey data. There was an increase of 0.03 percent from the previous month.


The average interest rate on conventional, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage loans of $417,000 or less increased 9 basis points to 4.21 in April. These rates are calculated from the FHFA’s Monthly Interest Rate Survey of purchase-money mortgages (see technical note). These results reflect loans closed during the April 24-30 period. Typically, the interest rate is determined 30 to 45 days before the loan is closed. Thus, the reported rates depict market conditions prevailing in mid- to late-March.


The contract rate on the composite of all mortgage loans (fixed- and adjustable-rate) was 3.93 percent in April, up 4 basis points from 3.89 percent in March. The effective interest rate, which reflects the amortization of initial fees and charges, was 4.03 percent in April, up 10 basis points from 3.93 percent in March.

This report contains no data on adjustable-rate mortgages due to insufficient sample size.

Initial fees and charges were 0.90 percent of the loan balance in April, down 3 basis points from March. Twenty-one percent of the purchase-money mortgage loans originated in April were "no-point" mortgages, up one percent from the share in March. The average term was 27.3 years in April, matching the term in March. The average loan-to-price ratio in April was 75.3 percent, up 0.5 percent from 74.8 percent in March. The average loan amount was $256,200 in April, up $9,100 from $247,100 in March.

Business Insider: Tight lending standards are #1 reason housing recovering is slow

In a report by David Zervos of Jeffries & Co., the number one reason for the continued sluggishness in the U.S. Housing Market is tight lending standards.  Specifically, in addition to very stringent credit standards, Zervos cites the larger than normal spread between what bank's pay for funds and what they charge for home loans.

Read more at BusinessInsider.com by clicking here.

FHFA: Mortgage rates drop .18 percent in March

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today reported that the National Average Contract Mortgage Rate for the Purchase of Previously Occupied Homes by Combined Lenders, used as an index in some ARM contracts, was 3.90 percent based on loans closed in March. Beginning in March, FHFA is calculating interest rates using un-weighted survey data. There was a decrease of 0.18 percent from the previous month.

The average interest rate on conventional, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage loans of $417,000 or less decreased 24 basis points to 4.12 in March. These rates are calculated from the FHFA’s Monthly Interest Rate Survey of purchase-money mortgages (see technical note).  These results reflect loans closed during the March 26-30 period. Typically, the interest rate is determined 30 to 45 days before the loan is closed. Thus, the reported rates depict market conditions prevailing in mid- to late-February.

The contract rate on the composite of all mortgage loans (fixed- and adjustable-rate) was 3.89 percent in March, down 16 basis points from 4.05 percent in February. The effective interest rate, which reflects the amortization of initial fees and charges, was 3.93 percent in March, down 24 basis points from 4.17 percent in February.

This report contains no data on adjustable-rate mortgages due to insufficient sample size.

Initial fees and charges were 0.93 percent of the loan balance in March, matching February. Twenty percent of the purchase-money mortgage loans originated in March were "no-point" mortgages, down eleven percent from the share in February. The average  term was 27.3 years in March, down 1.5 years from 28.8 years in February. The average loan-to-price ratio in March was 74.8 percent, down 0.5 percent from 75.3 percent in February. The average loan amount was $247,100 in March, up $2,800 from $244,300 in February.


Read more at FHFA.gov by clicking here.

FHFA: Mortgage rates rise .1 percent in January

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today reported that the National Average Contract Mortgage Rate for the Purchase of Previously Occupied Homes by Combined Lenders, used as an index in some ARM contracts, was 4.25 percent based on loans closed in January. This is an increase of 0.10 percent from the previous month.


The average interest rate on conventional, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage loans of $417,000 or less increased 1 basis point to 4.33 percent in January. These rates are calculated from the FHFA’s Monthly Interest Rate Survey of purchase-money mortgages (see technical note). These results reflect loans closed during the January 25-31 period. Typically, the interest rate is determined 30 to 45 days before the loan is closed. Thus, the reported rates depict market conditions prevailing in mid- to late-December.

The contract rate on the composite of all mortgage loans (fixed- and adjustable-rate) was 4.19 percent in January, up 6 basis points from 4.13 percent in December. The effective interest rate, which reflects the amortization of initial fees and charges, was 4.31 percent in January, up 7 basis points from 4.24 percent in December.

This report contains no data on adjustable-rate mortgages due to insufficient sample size. Initial fees and charges were 0.82 percent of the loan balance in January, down 0.01 percent from 0.83 in December. Thirty-eight percent of the purchase-money mortgage loans originated in January were "no-point" mortgages, up six percent from the share in December. The average term was 28.3 years in January, down 0.5 years from 28.8 years in December. The average loan-to-price ratio in January was 75.5 percent, down 3.2 percent
from 78.7 percent in December. The average loan amount was $223,000 in January, up $1,300 from $221,700 in December.

You can view the entire contract rate series at FHFA.gov by clicking here.

FHFA: Mortgage Rates Fall Again in December

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today reported that the National Average Contract Mortgage Rate for the Purchase of Previously Occupied Homes by Combined Lenders, used as an index in some ARM contracts, was 4.15 percent based on loans closed in December. This is a decrease of 0.07 percent from the previous month.

The average interest rate on conventional, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage loans of $417,000 or less decreased 8 basis points to 4.32 percent in December. These rates are calculated  from the FHFA’s Monthly Interest Rate Survey of purchase-money mortgages (see technical note). These results reflect loans closed during the December 23-30 period. Typically, the interest rate is determined 30 to 45 days before the loan is closed. Thus, the reported rates depict market conditions prevailing in mid- to late-November.

The contract rate on the composite of all mortgage loans (fixed- and adjustable-rate) was 4.13 percent in December, down 7 basis points from 4.20 percent in November. The effective interest rate, which reflects the amortization of initial fees and charges, was 4.24 percent in December, down 7 basis points from 4.31 percent in November.

This report contains no data on adjustable-rate mortgages due to insufficient sample size.

Initial fees and charges were 0.83 percent of the loan balance in December, up 0.05 percent from 0.78 in November. Thirty-two percent of the purchase-money mortgage loans originated in December were "no-point" mortgages, down two percent from the share in November. The average term was 28.8 years in December, up 0.3 years from 28.5 years in November. The average loan-to-price ratio in December was 78.7 percent, up 1.6 percent from 77.1 percent in November. The average loan amount was $221,700 in December, up $1,200 from $220,500 in November.

To view the history of the mortgage interest rates at FHFA.gov, click here.

Fannie, Freddie to raise mortgage guarantee fees to fund payroll tax break

Included in the two-month extension of the payroll tax break passed by Congress was an additional fee on mortgages guaranteed by agencies under the supervision of the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

The additional .1 percent fee will be added to the existing average .26 percent fee already collected on all new mortgages guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.  The new fee will take effect on April 1.

The fee increase is expected to add $15 to the monthly mortgage payment of a new $200,000 30-year mortgage, or $5,400 over the life of the loan.  The new fee was part of a package that lowers the payroll tax on wage earners by 2 percentage points through February 28.  The payroll tax break has been in effect since January 1, 2011.  Congress is expected to further extend the payroll tax break through December 31, 2012.

LA Times: Record low mortgage rates have not rescued housing

Real estate experts commenting for an article in the Los Angeles Times, including Freddie Mac and Mortgage Bankers Association executives, commented that historically low interest rates are not enough and that mortgage applications fell in 2011.  Could it be the problem is in the big housing markets like Los Angeles?

Read the entire article in the LA Times by clicking here.

FHFA: mortgage rates rose slightly in November

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) this week reported that the National Average Contract Mortgage Rate for the Purchase of Previously Occupied Homes by Combined Lenders, used as an index in some ARM contracts, was 4.22 percent based on loans closed in November. This is an increase of 0.03 percent from the previous month.

The average interest rate on conventional, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage loans of $417,000 or less increased 4 basis points to 4.40 percent in November. These rates are calculated from the FHFA’s Monthly Interest Rate Survey of purchase-money mortgages (see technical note). These results reflect loans closed during the November 23-30 period.

Typically, the interest rate is determined 30 to 45 days before the loan is closed. Thus, the reported rates depict market conditions prevailing in mid- to late-October. The contract rate on the composite of all mortgage loans (fixed- and adjustable-rate) was 4.20 percent in November, up 3 basis points from 4.17 percent in October. The effective interest rate, which reflects the amortization of initial fees and charges, was 4.31 percent in November, up 2 basis points from 4.29 percent in October.

This report contains no data on adjustable-rate mortgages due to insufficient sample size. Initial fees and charges were 0.78 percent of the loan balance in November, down 0.05 percent from 0.83 in October. Thirty-four percent of the purchase-money mortgage loans originated in November were "no-point" mortgages, up six percent from the share in October. The average term was 28.5 years in November, down 0.2 years from 28.7 years in October. The average loan-to-price ratio in November was 77.1 percent, down 1.3 percent from 78.4 percent in October. The average loan amount was $220,500 in November, up $2,000 from $218,500 in October.

FHFA reports lower mortgage interest rates

The Federal Housing Finance Agency today reported that the National Average Contract Mortgage Rate for the Purchase of Previously Occupied Homes by Combined Lenders, used as an index in some ARM contracts, was 4.19 percent based on loans closed in October. This is a decrease of 0.19 percent from the previous month.

The average interest rate on conventional, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage loans of $417,000 or less decreased 20 basis points to 4.36 percent in October. These rates are calculated from the FHFA’s Monthly Interest Rate Survey of purchase-money mortgages. These results reflect loans closed during the October 25-31 period. Typically, the interest rate is determined 30 to 45 days before the loan is closed. Thus, the reported rates depict market conditions prevailing in mid- to late-September.

The contract rate on the composite of all mortgage loans (fixed- and adjustable-rate) was 4.17 percent in October, down 19 basis points from 4.36 percent in September. The effective interest rate, which reflects the amortization of initial fees and charges, was 4.29 percent in October, down 20 basis points from 4.49 percent in September.

This report contains no data on adjustable-rate mortgages due to insufficient sample size. 

Initial fees and charges were 0.83 percent of the loan balance in October, down 0.11 percent from 0.94 in September. Twenty-eight percent of the purchase-money mortgage loans originated in October were "no-point" mortgages, down one percent from the share in September. The average term was 28.7 years in October, down 0.3 years from 29.0 years in September. The average loan-to-price ratio in October was 78.4 percent, up 0.1 percent from 78.3 percent in September. The average loan amount was $218,500 in October, down $2,200 from $220,700 in September.

To view the historical rate index for mortgage interest rates at the Federal Housing Finance Agency, click here.

FHFA: Mortgage interest rates fall again in June

The Federal Housing Finance Agency today reported that the National Average Contract Mortgage Rate for the Purchase of Previously Occupied Homes by Combined Lenders, used as an index in some ARM contracts, was 4.62 percent based on loans closed in June. This is a decrease of 0.12 percent from the previous month.

The average interest rate on conventional, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage loans of $417,000 or less decreased 13 basis points to 4.79 percent in June. These rates are calculated from the FHFA’s Monthly Interest Rate Survey of purchase-money mortgages (see technical note). These results reflect loans closed during the June 24-30 period. Typically, the interest rate is determined 30 to 45 days before the loan is closed. Thus, the reported rates depict market conditions prevailing in mid- to late-May.

The contract rate on the composite of all mortgage loans (fixed- and adjustable-rate) was 4.61 percent in June, down 14 basis points from 4.75 percent in May. The effective interest rate, which reflects the amortization of initial fees and charges, was 4.74 percent in June, down 13 basis points from 4.87 percent in May.

This report contains no data on adjustable-rate mortgages due to insufficient sample size. Initial fees and charges were 0.94 percent of the loan balance in June, up 0.09 percent from 0.85 in May. Twenty-eight percent of the purchase-money mortgage loans originated in June were "no-point" mortgages, matching the share in April and May. The average term was 28.2 years in June, up 0.3 years from 27.9 years in May. The average loan-toprice ratio in June was 76.3 percent, down 0.1 percent from 76.4 percent in May. The average loan amount was $219,100 in June, down $3,800 from $222,900 in May.

Read the contract rate series at FHFA.org by clicking here.

FHFA: Mortgage interest rates fall in May

The Federal Housing Finance Agency today reported that the National Average Contract Mortgage Rate for the Purchase of Previously Occupied Homes by Combined Lenders, used as an index in some ARM contracts, was 4.74 percent based on loans closed in May. This is a decrease of 0.06 percent from the previous month. Click here to view the historical Contract Rate Series at FHFA.gov.

The average interest rate on conventional, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage loans of $417,000 or less decreased 7 basis points to 4.92 percent in May. These rates are calculated from the FHFA’s Monthly Interest Rate Survey of purchase-money mortgages (see technical note). These results reflect loans closed during the May 25-31 period. Typically, the interest rate is determined 30 to 45 days before the loan is closed. Thus, the reported rates depict market conditions prevailing in mid- to late-April.

The contract rate on the composite of all mortgage loans (fixed- and adjustable-rate) was 4.75 percent in May, down 5 basis points from 4.80 percent in April. The effective interest rate, which reflects the amortization of initial fees and charges, was 4.87 percent in May, down 6 basis points from 4.93 percent in April.

This report contains no data on adjustable-rate mortgages due to insufficient sample size.

Initial fees and charges were 0.85 percent of the loan balance in May, down 0.03 percent from 0.88 in April. Twenty-eight percent of the purchase-money mortgage loans originated in May were "no-point" mortgages, matching the share in April. The average term was 27.9 years in May, up 0.1 years from 27.8 years in April. The average loan-toprice ratio in April was 76.4 percent, up 0.6 percent from 75.8 percent in April. The average loan amount was $222,900 in May, up $18,500 from $204,400 in April.

FHFA House Price Index Rises 0.8 Percent in April; First Monthly Increase Since May 2010

U.S. house prices rose 0.8 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from March to April, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s monthly House Price Index. The previously reported 0.3 percent decrease in March was revised to a 0.4 percent decrease. For the 12 months ending in April, U.S. prices fell 5.7 percent. The U.S. index is 19.3 percent below its April 2007 peak and roughly the same as the January 2004 index level.

The FHFA monthly index is calculated using purchase prices of houses backing mortgages that have been sold to or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. For the nine Census Divisions, seasonally adjusted monthly price changes from March to April ranged from -1.3 percent in the Mountain Division to +2.2 percent in the New England Division.

Monthly index values and appreciation rate estimates for recent periods are provided in the table and graphs on the following pages. Click here for complete historical data. FHFA has corrected some data in the quarterly HPI released May 25, 2011. The quarterly, fourquarter, and five-year price change estimates for Nebraska, Massachusetts, and Montana have been modified. The underlying index values for those states were correct, but the reported price changes were not accurate. The corrected numbers are now reflected in the tables and graphs in the revised news release and elsewhere on the FHFA website.

For detailed information concerning the monthly HPI, please see the HPI Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). The next release will be on July 21, 2011 and will include monthly HPI data for May 2011. The next release of quarterly data will be Aug. 24, 2011 and will include data for the second quarter of 2011.

To read the report at FHFA.gov, click here.

Federal Housing Finance Agency Reports Mortgage Interest Rates

The Federal Housing Finance Agency today reported that the National Average Contract Mortgage Rate for the Purchase of Previously Occupied Homes by Combined Lenders, used as an index in some ARM contracts, was 4.80 percent based on loans closed in April. This is a decrease of 0.04 percent from the previous month. Complete data can be found at www.fhfa.gov by clicking here.

The average interest rate on conventional, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage loans of $417,000 or less decreased 7 basis points to 4.99 percent in April. These rates are calculated from the FHFA’s Monthly Interest Rate Survey of purchase-money mortgages (see technical note). These results reflect loans closed during the April 25-29 period. Typically, the interest rate is determined 30 to 45 days before the loan is closed. Thus, the reported rates depict market conditions prevailing in mid- to late-March.

The contract rate on the composite of all mortgage loans (fixed- and adjustable-rate) was 4.80 percent in April, down 4 basis points from 4.84 percent in March. The effective interest rate, which reflects the amortization of initial fees and charges, was 4.93 percent in April, down 5 basis points from 4.98 percent in March. This report contains no data on adjustable-rate mortgages due to insufficient sample size.

Initial fees and charges were 0.88 percent of the loan balance in April, down 0.07 percent from 0.95 in February. Twenty-eight percent of the purchase-money mortgage loans originated in April were "no-point" mortgages, up from 25 percent in March. The average term was 27.8 years in April, up 0.2 years from 27.6 years in March. The average loan-toprice ratio in April was 75.8 percent, up 0.3 percent from 75.5 percent in March. The average loan amount was $204,400 in April, down $4,200 from $208,600 in March.

To read this press release at www.fhfa.gov, click here.

Federal Housing Finance Agency Reports Mortgage Interest Rates Up Slightly

The Federal Housing Finance Agency this week reported that the National Average Contract Mortgage Rate for the Purchase of Previously Occupied Homes by Combined Lenders, used as an index in some ARM contracts, was 4.79 percent based on loans closed in February. This is an increase of 0.08 percent from the previous month.

The full report on the Contract Rate series can be viewed by clicking here.

The average interest rate on conventional, 30-year fixed-rate mortgage loans of $417,000 or less increased 12 basis points to 4.97 percent in February. These rates are calculated from the FHFA’s Monthly Interest Rate Survey of purchase-money mortgages. These results reflect loans closed during the Feb. 22-28 period. Typically, the interest rate is determined 30 to 45 days before the loan is closed. Thus, the reported rates depict market conditions prevailing in mid- to late-January.

The contract rate on the composite of all mortgage loans (fixed- and adjustable-rate) was 4.80 percent in February, up 10 basis points from 4.70 percent in January. The effective interest rate, which reflects the amortization of initial fees and charges, was 4.92 percent in February, up 11 basis points from 4.81 percent in January.

This report contains no data on adjustable-rate mortgages due to insufficient sample size.

Initial fees and charges were 0.80 percent of the loan balance in February, unchanged from January. Thirty percent of the purchase-money mortgage loans originated in February were "no-point" mortgages, down from 34 percent in January. The average term was 27.2 years in February, down 0.1 years from 27.3 years in January. The average loan-to-price ratio in February was 74.7 percent, up 1.3 percent from 73.4 percent in January. The average loan amount was $216,900 in February, up $14,500 from $202,400 in January.