Bankrate: Mortgage Rates Hit a 2-Month High

RISMEDIA, July 11, 2011— Mortgage rates increased for the second week in a row, with the benchmark conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate now 4.79 percent, according to Bankrate.com’s weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.32 discount and origination points.

The average 15-year fixed mortgage stepped up to 3.9 percent while the larger jumbo 30-year fixed rate climbed to 5.27 percent. Adjustable rate mortgages were higher also, with the average 5-year ARM rising to 3.49 percent and the 7-year ARM inching higher to 3.72 percent.

Mortgage rates increased for the second week in a row and the third time in the last four weeks. Better economic news and an easing of concerns about a potential Greek debt default spurred this week’s move, pushing mortgage rates to a two-month high. Mortgage rate volatility could pick up in the coming weeks as investors grapple with the state of the U.S. economic recovery, quarterly corporate earnings, and a deadline for increasing the debt ceiling.

The last time mortgage rates were above 6 percent was Nov. 2008. At the time, the average 30-year fixed rate was 6.33 percent, meaning a $200,000 loan would have carried a monthly payment of $1,241.86. With the average rate now 4.79 percent, the monthly payment for the same size loan would be $1,048.12, a difference of $193 per month for anyone refinancing now.

For more information, please visit www.bankrate.com.

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