Mortgage Rates Drop Sharply To Lowest Level In Over A Year

(RTTNews) - Mortgage rates, or interest rates on home loans, dropped to their lowest level in over a year, according to mortgage provider Freddie Mac (FMCC.OB).

The 30-year FRM averaged 6.47 percent as of August 8, 2024, down from last week when it averaged 6.73 percent. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.96 percent.

The 15-year FRM averaged 5.63 percent, down from last week when it averaged 5.99 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 6.34 percent.

"Mortgage rates plunged this week to their lowest level in over a year following the likely overreaction to a less than favorable employment report and financial market turbulence for an economy that remains on solid footing," said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's Chief Economist.

"The decline in mortgage rates does increase prospective homebuyers' purchasing power and should begin to pique their interest in making a move. Additionally, this drop in rates is already providing some existing homeowners the opportunity to refinance, with the refinance share of market mortgage applications reaching nearly 42 percent, the highest since March 2022."