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FHFA Index Shows Mortgage Interest Rates Decreased in August

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
9/29/2015

Washington, D.C. – Nationally, interest rates on conventional purchase-money mortgages decreased from July to August, according to several indices of new mortgage contracts.

The National Average Contract Mortgage Rate for the Purchase of Previously Occupied Homes by Combined Lenders Index was 3.99 percent for loans closed in late August, down 3 basis points from 4.02 percent in July.  

The average interest rate on all mortgage loans was 3.99 percent, down 2 basis points from 4.01 in July.

The average interest rate on conventional, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages of $417,000 or less was 4.20 percent, unchanged from July.

The effective interest rate on all mortgage loans was 4.15 percent in August, down 2 basis points from 4.17 percent in July.  The effective interest rate accounts for the addition of initial fees and charges over the life of the mortgage.

The average loan amount for all loans was $303,300 in August, down $1,300 from $304,600 in July.

FHFA will release September index values Thursday, October 29, 2015.

For more information, call David Roderer at (202) 649-3206. To hear recorded index information, call (202) 649-3993.  To find the complete contract rate series, go to http://www.fhfa.gov/DataTools/Downloads/Pages/Monthly-Interest-Rate-Data.aspx​.​ National Average Contract Mortgage Rate Previously Occupied Home. September 2014 to August 2015.

Source:  FHFA

Technical note: The indices are based on a small monthly survey of mortgage lenders, which may not be representative. The sample is not a statistical sample but is rather a convenience sample. Survey respondents were asked to report terms and conditions of all conventional, single-family, fully amortized purchase-money loans closed during the last five working days of the month.  The indices do not include mortgages guaranteed or insured by either the Federal Housing Administration or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The indices also excluded refinancing loans and balloon loans.  August 2015 values are based on 5,303 reported loans from 22 lenders, which include savings associations, mortgage companies, commercial banks, and mutual savings banks.    

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The Federal Housing Finance Agency regulates Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the 11 Federal Home Loan Banks. These government-sponsored enterprises provide nearly $5.7 trillion in funding for the U.S. mortgage markets and financial institutions. Additional information is available at www.FHFA.gov, on Twitter @FHFA, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Contacts:

Media: Corinne Russell (202) 649-3032 / Stefanie Johnson (202) 649-3030
Consumers: Consumer Communications or (202) 649-3811

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