The average rate on a 30-year mortgage remained unchanged this week in metro Atlanta, while rates for shorter-term loans and loans for high-priced homes rose noticeably, according to the latest figures from Bankrate.com
The average for a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage rose to 3.66 percent from 3.55 percent last week, Bankrate reported. The benchmark hybrid 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgage rose to 3.52 percent from 3.46 percent. The hybrid mortgage carries a fixed rate for a specific period, in this case five years, and an adjustable rate for the remainder of the loan.
The average rate for a jumbo mortgage for homebuyers in the market for high-priced homes also rose this week, to 4.8 percent from 4.77 percent.
The average rate for a 30-year mortgage, meanwhile, remained at 5.8 percent, Bankrate said.
Discount and origination points, which are prepaid expenses on the mortgage, also rose this week to an average total of 0.65, from 0.6 last week.
Not only are metro homebuyers being hit with higher mortgage rates, home prices and closing costs are also on the rise in a market where there is a shortage of homes on the market. The squeeze is also putting pressure on apartment rents.
All eyes will be on Federal Reserve policymakers when they meet next Tuesday and Wednesday. Decisions they make on whether further economic stimulation is needed may have an impact on the direction of rates for long term loans.
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