Thirty-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Continue to Decline; Most State Rates Now Below 5.00%

RISMEDIA

October 30, 2009

The weekly average rate borrowers were quoted on Zillow Mortgage Marketplace for 30-year fixed mortgages decreased ten basis points last week to 4.87%, down from 4.97% the week prior, according to the Zillow Mortgage Rate Monitor, compiled by real estate website ZIllow.com. Rates for 15-year fixed mortgages fell six basis point to 4.32% from 4.38%, and 5-1 adjustable rate mortgages fell seven basis points to 3.80%, from 3.87% the week prior. 

The volume of mortgage requests last week fell 9.6% from the prior week. Of last week’s requests, 45% were for refinance loans, 53% were for purchase loans and 2% were for home equity loans. The prior week, 47% of requests were for refinance loans, 51% were for purchase loans and 2% were for home equity loans. 

                                              Average Rate                       Average Rate                     Change in
Mortgage Type          Week ending 10/25/09    Week ending 10/18/09       Basis Points
30-year fixed                       4.87%                                       4.97%                                 -10
15-year fixed                        4.32%                                      4.38%                                  -6
5-1 ARM                               3.80%                                      3.87%                                  -7 

Rates for 30-year fixed purchase mortgages rose, with the average rate on Zillow Mortgage Marketplace at 4.92%. Thirty-year fixed mortgage rates varied by state. Missouri mortgage rates, and Illinois mortgage rates decreased the most, from 5.17% to 4.93% in Missouri and from 5.13% to 4.91% in Illinois. New York mortgage rates (5.03%) and Connecticut mortgage rates (4.96%) were the highest in the country, while Oregon mortgage rates (4.83%), Washington mortgage rates (4.84%), California mortgage rates (4.84%) and Texas mortgage rates (4.84%) were the lowest.