Freddie Mac: 30-year mortgage at 3.43%, lowest since January

Mortgage rates are at their lowest level since January, the widely watched Freddie Mac survey shows, with the average for a 30-year fixed-rate loan dropping to 3.43% this week from 3.54% a week ago.

The survey of rates lenders are offering to solid borrowers, released Thursday, said the average rate for a 15-year fixed home loan descended from 2.74% to 2.65%. Borrowers would have paid less than 1% of the loan amount in upfront lender fees and points to obtain the loans.

A lackluster employment report for March and a survey showing that average hourly wages were unchanged tamped down concerns that the Fed might back off the bond-buying spree that has kept rates near record lows, said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac’s chief economist.

Quiz: How much do you know about mortgages?

A different scenario that has gained ground is that a recent spurt of economic growth and hiring could sputter out, as occurred during the spring of 2011 and again in 2012. Indicators have been seesawing, with first-time jobless claims dropping significantly last week after rising sharply the previous week.

“The weaker the economy remains, especially job growth, the longer these [Federal Reserve] programs will continue to keep interest rates and mortgage rates low,� said Keith Gumbinger, vice president of HSH.com, another provider of mortgage data.

An HSH survey also showed a decline of about one-tenth of a percentage point in the 30-year fixed mortgage rate, to the lowest level since mid-January.

Bank Hall of Shame: Failures that drained deposit-insurance funds

Jeff Lazerson, who runs the Mortgage Grader loan brokerage in Laguna Niguel, said borrowers who paid him 1% of the loan balance were able to get 30-year fixed loans early this week at 3.25%.

Freddie Mac, the mortgage finance giant that has been a ward of the government since the financial crisis, polls lenders each week about the terms they are offering to borrowers with excellent credit, 20% down payments or home equity, and the income to repay their debts.

The survey does not include third-party costs often borne by borrowers, such as title insurance and appraisal fees.

US 30 Year Mortgage Rate data by YCharts

ALSO:

FHA may need $943 million bailout

Home builder Taylor Morrison goes public

Fed minutes show division over mortgage bond purchases