Mortgage rates have risen rapidly for the past four weeks, according to the latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey from Freddie Mac.
The rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.65 percent for the week of September 20 — the highest since May. Last week, the rate was at 4.60 percent. Last year, it averaged only 3.83 percent.
Courtesy of Freddie Mac
The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.11 percent, up from 4.06 percent last week and 3.13 percent last year. A five-year treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable mortgage is at 3.92 percent, compared to 3.93 percent last week and 3.17 percent last year.
As mortgage rates rise, buying a home could become more challenging than it already is, warned Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist.
“Mortgage rates are drifting upward again and represent continued affordability challenges for prospective buyers – especially first-time buyers,” Khater said in a statement. “Borrowing costs are moving right now for three main reasons: the very strong economy, higher U.S. government debt issuances and global trade tensions.”
Realtor.com Chief Economist Danielle Hale also expressed similar concerns.
“Higher mortgage rates will undoubtedly contribute to a further slowdown in home price growth as higher costs force buyers to choose smaller, less expensive homes or postpone their search,” Hale said in a statement.
