Mortgage rates slipped to an average 4.51 percent for the week ending Thursday, Freddie Mac reports.
That compares with 4.58 percent the previous week for 30-year, fixed-rate loans and 3.59 percent a year ago. The average origination points and fees average 0.7 percent.
That compares with 4.58 percent the previous week for 30-year, fixed-rate loans and 3.59 percent a year ago. The average origination points and fees average 0.7 percent.
Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, noted that the drop might be tied to a decline of home sales in July and how that is coloring the Federal Reserve's strategy in buying up mortgages.
"The 13.5 percent drop in new home sales in July led financial markets to speculate whether the Fed might delay reducing its bond purchases and allowed long-term bond yields and fixed mortgage rates to decline over the week," Nothaft said in a statement.
Freddie Mac's primary mortgage market survey also showed mortgages in western states stood at an average 4.49 percent, plus 0.7 percent in points, down from 4.57 percent the week before and 3.58 percent a year ago.
The latest survey said 15-year, fixed-rate loans carried an interest rate of 3.54 percent, down from 3.6 percent last week; five-year adjustable-rate mortgages at 3.24 percent; and one-year ARMs at 2.64 percent.
"The 13.5 percent drop in new home sales in July led financial markets to speculate whether the Fed might delay reducing its bond purchases and allowed long-term bond yields and fixed mortgage rates to decline over the week," Nothaft said in a statement.
Freddie Mac's primary mortgage market survey also showed mortgages in western states stood at an average 4.49 percent, plus 0.7 percent in points, down from 4.57 percent the week before and 3.58 percent a year ago.
The latest survey said 15-year, fixed-rate loans carried an interest rate of 3.54 percent, down from 3.6 percent last week; five-year adjustable-rate mortgages at 3.24 percent; and one-year ARMs at 2.64 percent.
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