MCLEAN, VA--(Marketwire - Feb 14, 2013) - [ Freddie Mac ] (OTC: [ FMCC ]) today released the results of its [ Primary Mortgage Market Survey(R) ] (PMMS^®), showing average fixed mortgage rates unchanged from the previous week and remaining near their record lows as they continue to support housing demand, translating into a pick-up in home prices in most markets.

News Facts

• [ 30-year fixed-rate mortgage ] (FRM) averaged 3.53 percent with an average 0.8 point for the week ending February 14, 2013, the same as last week. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 3.87 percent. 

• [ 15-year FRM ] this week averaged 2.77 percent with an average 0.8 point, the same as last week. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 3.16 percent. 

• [ 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage ] (ARM) averaged 2.64 percent this week with an average 0.6 point, up from last week when it averaged 2.63 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 2.82 percent.

• [ 1-year Treasury-indexed ARM ] averaged 2.61 percent this week with an average 0.3 point, up from last week when it averaged 2.53 percent. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 2.84 percent. 

Average commitment rates should be reported along with average fees and points to reflect the total upfront cost of obtaining the mortgage. Visit the following links for the [ Regional and National Mortgage Rate Details ] and [ Definitions ]. Borrowers may still pay closing costs which are not included in the survey.

Quotes
Attributed to Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, Freddie Mac.

"Mortgage rates remain near record lows and continue to support housing demand, translating into a pick-up in home prices in most markets. The median sales [ price ] of existing homes rose 10 percent between fourth quarter 2011 and 2012, the largest year-over-year gain in seven years. Among large metropolitan areas, 88 percent saw positive annual increases in the fourth quarter, compared to 81 percent in the third quarter and 75 percent in the second. The largest gains occurred in Phoenix (34 percent), Detroit (31 percent) and San Francisco (28 percent)."

Freddie Mac was established by Congress in 1970 to provide liquidity, stability and affordability to the nation's residential mortgage markets. Freddie Mac supports communities across the nation by providing mortgage capital to lenders. Today Freddie Mac is making home possible for one in four homebuyers and is one of the largest sources of financing for multifamily housing. [ www.FreddieMac.com ]. Twitter: [ @FreddieMac ]