US mortgage rates fall from 3-month high
Mortgage rates at historically low levels that are helping would-be purchasers to buy homes amid a shortage of inventory.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Mortgage rates slipped this week from the highest level since July and remain at historically low levels that are helping would-be purchasers to buy homes.
Mortgage giant Freddie Mac said Thursday that the average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage declined to 3.69 percent from 3.78 percent last week. That’s also down more than a full percentage point from a year ago, when it was 4.94 percent.
Lower rates are helping support the housing market. Sales of existing homes rose nearly 4 percent in September from a year ago, while new-home sales have soared 16 percent during that time. Yet potential home buyers still face a shortage of available homes, which is pushing prices higher.
The average rate on a 15-year mortgage fell to 3.13 percent this week from 3.19 percent a week ago.
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