Zeller Realty - Sierra PropertiesLicense #: 00319644

Zeller Realty - Sierra PropertiesLicense #: 00319644

Surging Mortgage Rates Spook House Hunters

Mortgage rates have climbed to their highest level since 2008, pinching home buyers’ budgets. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5.78% this week, way above its 2.93% average just one year ago, Freddie Mac reports. The Federal Reserve’s decision Wednesday to raise its key benchmark rate by the highest amount in 28 years sent shock waves through financial markets, including adding further pressure on mortgage rates.

This means more buyers must readjust their home-shopping budgets, as the impact of higher rates translates to a 25% drop in house hunters’ purchasing power since the beginning of the year. For example, a typical buyer could afford a $360,000 home with a $1,400 monthly mortgage payment at the beginning of the year. Now, with near-6% mortgage rates, a $1,400 monthly payment translates to a $270,000 home.

Mortgage applications for home purchases—viewed as a gauge of future home buying activity—are down 16% year over year, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Freddie Mac reports the following national averages for mortgage rates for the week ending June 16:

*30-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 5.78%, with an average 0.9 point, rising from last week’s 5.23% average. A year ago, they averaged 2.93%.

*15-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 4.81%, with an average 0.9 point, increasing from last week’s 4.38% average. A year ago, they averaged 2.24%.

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