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News Release

FHFA Index Shows Mortgage Interest Rates Decreased in February

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
3/29/2016

Washington, D.C. – Nationally, interest rates on conventional purchase-money mortgages decreased from January to February, 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 3.88 percent for loans closed in late February, down 10 basis points from 3.98 percent in January.  

The average interest rate on all mortgage loans was 3.89 percent, down 8 basis points from 3.97 in January.

The average interest rate on conventional, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages of $417,000 or less was 4.11 percent, down 12 basis points from 4.23 in January.

The effective interest rate on all mortgage loans was 4.03 percent in February, down 7 basis points from 4.10 in January.  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 $316,700 in February, up $6,300 from $310,400 in January.

FHFA will release March index values Thursday, April 28, 2016.

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 Graph: February 2015 - February 2016 

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.  Unless otherwise specified, the indices include 15-year mortgages and adjustable-rate mortgages.  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.  February 2016 values are based on 3,526 reported loans from 20 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 more than $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:  Stefanie Johnson (202) 649-3030 / Corinne Russell (202) 649-3032 
Consumers: Consumer Communications or (202) 649-3811

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