US average 30-year mortgage rate jumps to 3.50 per cent

WASHINGTON – Long-term U.S. mortgage rates rose this week, with the benchmark 30-year loan reaching its highest level since June.

Rates remain at historically low levels, however.

Mortgage giant Freddie Mac said Thursday the average for the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage jumped to 3.50 per cent from 3.44 per cent last week. It was the highest level since June, when it averaged over 3.60 per cent. Still, the average 30-year rate is down from 3.91 per cent a year ago, and is close to its all-time low of 3.31 per cent in November 2012.

The 15-year fixed mortgage rate edged up to 2.77 per cent from 2.76 per cent.

Long-term mortgage rates tend to track the yield on 10-year Treasury notes, which rose sharply amid volatility in the U.S. stock market. The yield on the 10-year notes soared to 1.70 per cent Wednesday from 1.54 per cent a week earlier. It rose further to 1.72 per cent Thursday morning.

To calculate average mortgage rates, Freddie Mac surveys lenders across the country at the beginning of each week. The average doesn’t include extra fees, known as points, which most borrowers must pay to get the lowest rates. One point equals 1 per cent of the loan amount.

The average fee for a 30-year mortgage fell to 0.5 point this week from 0.6 point last week. The fee for a 15-year loan was unchanged at 0.5 point.

Rates on adjustable five-year mortgages averaged 2.82 per cent, up from 2.81 per cent last week. The fee remained at 0.4 point.