WASHINGTON (AP) -- The average rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage fell this week to a record low, the ninth time that has happened in the last year. Even with the cheapest rates in history, the housing market remains depressed. ; w7 ~6 a6 Z/ {}( B- L3 r/ VRates have been low for more than a year, and the average rate on the 30-year loan has hovered near 4 percent for more than three months. Yet few people can afford to buy a home or qualify for a loan. Those who can have already done so.
A! n' U2 g' } @ q% QHigh unemployment and scant wage gains have made it harder for many people to qualify for loans. Many don't want to sink money into a home that they fear could lose value over the next few years.
8 a$ _* f: `' XSales of previously occupied homes were dismal last year. New-home sales in 2011 were the worst on records going back half a century.
, ]! x) V' Z ] c1 K* ZBuilders are hopeful that the low rates could boost sales next year. But so far, they have had a minimal impact.
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To calculate the average rates, Freddie Mac surveys lenders across the country Monday through Wednesday of each week. ' v- c8 p/ e; o) P
The average rates don't include extra fees, known as points, which most borrowers must pay to get the lowest rates. One point equals 1 percent of the loan amount.
4 z4 n5 W, h; _; ]0 ~: F) L3 bThe average fee for the 30-year loan rose to 0.8 from 0.7; the average on the 15-year fixed mortgage was unchanged at 0.8. # `5 B; c" W3 k" b0 [, [
For the five-year adjustable loan, the average rate fell to 2.80 percent from 2.85 percent. The average on the one-year adjustable loan rose to 2.76 percent from 2.74 percent. 6 w" _. [% U; ~, f$ {})">发表新贴
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