Long-term rates hit all-time low again
SILVER SPRING, Md. — Long-term U.S. mortgage rates fell last week with the benchmark 30-year home loan hitting its lowest level ever.
Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac reported Thursday the average rate on the key 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to 3.07 percent, down from 3.13 percent the week before. For the second week in a row, it was the lowest level since Freddie began tracking average rates in 1971. A year ago, the rate stood at 3.75 percent.
The average rate on the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage also fell slightly to 2.56 percent from 2.59 percent the previous week, but it was down from 3.18 percent a year ago.
The historically low interest rates come as the U.S. housing market appears to be rebounding somewhat from a coronavirus-caused spring freeze. Sales of new homes rose a surprisingly strong 16.6 percent in May as major parts of the country reopened, though sales of existing homes struggled through the month with a 9.7 percent decline.
A recent report on pending home sales offered some optimism, with the number of Americans signing contracts to purchase homes jumping 44.3 percent in May after a record-breaking April decline. Those contract signings are a barometer of finalized purchases over the next two months.
The impact of the coronavirus pandemic sidelined both buyers and sellers in March and April, so there remains a tight supply of homes available for sale, running up against high demand.