CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Average mortgage rates fell to new lows this week, according to the LendingTree [ Weekly Mortgage Rate Pulse ], a snapshot of the lowest and average mortgage rates available within the LendingTree network of lenders.

On October 12, average [ home loan rates ] offered by LendingTree network lenders fell week-over-week to 4.24 percent (4.45% APR) for 30-year fixed mortgages, 3.68 percent (3.99% APR) for 15-year fixed mortgages and 3.19 percent (3.52% APR) for 5/1 ARMs.

On the same day, [ mortgage rates ] offered by lenders on the LendingTree network were as low as 3.75 percent (3.88% APR) for a 30-year fixed mortgage, 3.25 percent (3.49% APR) for a 15-year fixed mortgage and 2.63 percent (3.08% APR) for a 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage (ARM).

"Mortgage rates dipped to a new record low last Friday on 30-year fixed rate conforming loans, continuing to provide huge incentives for borrowers to seriously evaluate refinancing to reduce their monthly mortgage payment," said Cameron Findlay, Chief Economist of LendingTree.com. "If you took out a loan in January 2010, rates have since dropped from an average of 5.36% to 4.31%. Based on a $250,000 loan, that's a monthly savings of $160."

With mortgage rates plummeting, consumers are advised to shop around to ensure they're receiving the best possible rate. LendingTree makes shopping for the best mortgage rate easy by providing consumers with multiple loan offers from competing lenders within minutes.

Below is a state-by-state comparison of mortgage data including a snapshot of the lowest 30-year fixed rates offered by lenders on the LendingTree network, average loan-to-value ratio and percentage of consumers with negative equity.


STATE-BY-STATE MORTGAGE DATA 10/13/10 *Updated Quarterly
STATE	LOWEST MORTGAGE RATE	LOAN-TO-VALUE RATIO*	% WITH NEGATIVE EQUITY*
Alabama	3.88% (4.01% APR)	67%	9.8%
Alaska	3.88% (4.01% APR)	67%	10.6%
Arizona	3.88% (4.01 % APR)	94%	50%
Arkansas	3.75% (3.88% APR)	74%	12%
California	3.88% (4.01% APR)	70%	32.8%
Colorado	3.88% (4.01% APR)	72%	19.7%
Connecticut	3.88% (4.01% APR)	58%	12%
Delaware	3.75% (3.90% APR)	68%	13.5%
District of Columbia	3.75% (3.98% APR)	59%	15.5%
Florida	3.75% (3.88% APR)	90%	46.4%
Georgia	3.88% (4.01% APR)	80%	28.1%
Hawaii	3.88% (4.01% APR)	55%	10.7%
Idaho	3.88% (4.01% APR)	73%	23.7%
Illinois	3.88% (4.01% APR)	71%	19.7%
Indiana	3.88% (4.01% APR)	70%	11%
Iowa	3.88% (4.01% APR)	67%	8.8%
Kansas	3.75% (3.88% APR)	70%	10.8%
Kentucky	3.88% (4.05% APR)	67%	8.5%
Louisiana	3.75% (3.88% APR)	N/A	23%
Maine	3.75% (3.88% APR)	N/A	23%
Maryland	3.75% (3.98% APR)	69%	22.2%
Massachusetts	3.88% (4.01% APR)	60%	15%
Michigan	3.88% (4.00% APR)	86%	38%
Minnesota	3.75% (3.86% APR)	65%	16.3%
Mississippi	3.75% (3.88% APR)	N/A	23%
Missouri	3.75% (3.84% APR)	71%	15.5%
Montana	3.88% (4.01% APR)	60%	7.7%
Nebraska	3.75% (3.88% APR)	73%	9.3%
Nevada	3.88% (4.01% APR)	120%	68.1%
New Hampshire	3.88% (4.01% APR)	69%	18.4%
New Jersey	3.75% (3.84% APR)	61%	15.4%
New Mexico	3.88% (4.01% APR)	66%	12.2%
New York	3.88% (4.03% APR)	50%	7.1%
North Carolina	3.75% (3.88% APR)	70%	10.4%
North Dakota	3.75% (3.94% APR)	60%	7.4%
Ohio	3.88% (4.00% APR)	74%	19.7%
Oklahoma	3.75% (3.90% APR)	70%	5.8%
Oregon	3.88% (4.01% APR)	69%	15.7%
Pennsylvania	3.75% (3.84% APR)	62%	7.3%
Rhode Island	3.88% (4.01% APR)	62%	20.3%
South Carolina	3.88% (4.01% APR)	71%	14.3%
South Dakota	3.75% (3.88% APR)	N/A	23%
Tennessee	3.88% (4.01% APR)	71%	13.8%
Texas	3.75% (3.88% APR)	70%	11.3%
Utah	3.88% (4.01% APR)	73%	20.4%
Vermont	3.75% (3.88% APR)	N/A	23%
Virginia	3.75% (3.85% APR)	71%	22.7%
Washington	3.88% (3.98% APR)	66%	15.2%
West Virginia	3.875% (3.88% APR)	N/A	23%
Wisconsin	3.75% (3.88% APR)	67%	13.7%
Wyoming	3.88% (3.99 % APR)	N/A	23%

Additional [ refinance mortgage rates ] are available at [ http://www.lendingtree.com/mortgage-loans/rates/ ].

The LendingTree Weekly [ Mortgage Rate ] Pulse will be published every Wednesday. Home loan rates above are reflective of actual rates offered to borrowers by lenders on the LendingTree network. Lowest rates shown reflect the payment of one discount point. Rates will vary based on the borrower's loan details and credit profile. Visit [ www.lendingtree.com ] to learn more.

About LendingTree, LLC

LendingTree, LLC is the nation's leading online lender exchange and personal finance resource, helping consumers take charge of all their financial decisions, from budgeting to money management to mortgages to credit cards and more. LendingTree provides a marketplace that connects consumers with multiple lenders that compete for their business, as well as an array of online tools to aid consumers in their financial decisions. Since inception, LendingTree has facilitated more than 27 million loan requests and $207 billion in closed loan transactions. LendingTree provides access to lenders offering [ mortgages ] and [ refinance loans ], [ home equity loans/lines of credit ], and more. LendingTree, LLC is a subsidiary of Tree.com, Inc. (Nasdaq: TREE). For more information go to [ www.lendingtree.com ] or 800-555-TREE.