Mortgage rates on 30 year fixed loan dropped for a
ninth consecutive week and reaching the lowest levels in 37 years.
Interest rates on the 30 year fixed mortgage dropped
to an average of 5.10 percent according to s survey released by
Freddie Mac, down from previous 5.14 percent.
Mortgage rates dropped significantly since Federal
Reserve introduced a plan to buy up to $500 billion of mortgage
securities. The program will also buy up to $100 billion of
debt.
Mortgage rates will continue to head even lower in
next few weeks.
However, housing market is not showing any recovery at
this time, as home buyers are not in rush to buy homes. Refinance on
the other hand, had increased dramatically as home owners are taking
advantage of low rates.
Even with a reduction in a 30 year fixed mortgage
savings can equal to fee hundreds per months and few thousands per
year.
Other interest rates such as 15 year fixed mortgage
averaged 4.83 percent, down from 4.91 percent.
One year adjustable mortgage or ARM, fell to an
average of 4.85 percent from 4.95 percent.
5/1 ARM, which has a rate set for 5 years averaged
5.57 percent.
A year ago 30 year fixed mortgage rates were hovering
around 6.07 percent, 15 year fixed at 5.68 percent and one year ARM
at 5.47 percent.
Critical point in US recovery is housing market and
credit market. Housing market may see another 20 percent drop in
2009.
Good new is that 2009 will be a buyers market as real
estate home prices are expected to drop. This year might be
the best year in buying a real estate.
Credit market still remains frozen for some businesses
and consumers. Only those with a good credit standing and good
credit score might be able to take advantage of low rates and
qualify for loans. With government steps of trying to unfreeze
credit market many banks are still very hesitant to lend again to
customers with bad credits.
The fastest drops in home values come from Virginia
Beach as those who bought property a year ago lost app 5 percent of
home values and app. 34 percent owe more on their property than it's
worth.
Cities such as Orlando and Miami 30 percent of home
owners are under water with similar number in El Centro, California;
Bakersfield, California and Cumberland, Md.
Even with lower mortgage rates real estate market has
not been improving a new government programs are coming to help not
only housing market but also overall economy.
Signals from President-elect Barack Obama that he and
his team will be ready to provide all necessary power to help
struggling economy has boosted confidence in so called "Obama rally"
in stocks.
Obama signaled that another round of economic package
will be his priority when he takes over the presidency on January
20. The package aims to generate 3 million new jobs.
The stabilization in housing market is the key to
reignite the
economy.