30 Year Fixed Rate Mortgages Hit Record Lows in U.S.

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Based on Freddie Mac's latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS), the average fixed mortgage rate starting the New Year was at their all-time lows.

The 30-year fixed averaged 3.91 percent matching its all-time record low amid recent data showing signs of improvement in the housing market and manufacturing industry. This marks the fifth consecutive week the 30-year fixed has averaged below 4.00 percent.

Freddie Mac chief economist Frank Nothaft tells World Property Channel, "Fixed mortgage rates started the year a little lower this week just as recent data reports indicate the housing market and manufacturing industry are showing signs of improvement. Pending existing home sales in November jumped 7.3 percent, nearly five times greater than the market consensus forecast, to its strongest pace since April 2010. In addition, construction spending rose 1.2 percent in November, supported by the residential sector which exhibited its fourth consecutive monthly increase. Similarly, manufacturing expanded in December at the fastest pace in six months."

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 3.91 percent with an average 0.8 point for the week ending January 5, 2012, down from last week when it averaged 3.95 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.77 percent.

15-year FRM this week averaged 3.23 percent with an average 0.8 point, down from last week when it averaged 3.24 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 4.13 percent.

The 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 2.86 percent this week, with an average 0.7 point, down from last week when it averaged 2.88 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 3.75 percent.

1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 2.80 percent this week with an average 0.6 point, up from last week when it averaged 2.78 percent. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 3.24 percent.