Bankrate: Mortgage Rates Hit 4-Month High

NEW YORK, Dec. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Mortgage rates moved up notably this week, with the average rate on the benchmark conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate rising to 4.71 percent, according to Bankrate.com's weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.36 discount and origination points.

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To see mortgage rates in your area, go to http://www.bankrate.com/funnel/mortgages/.

The average 15-year fixed mortgage increased to 4.07 percent, and the larger jumbo 30-year fixed rate did as well, settling at 5.29 percent. Adjustable rate mortgages were also on the rise, with the average 5-year ARM climbing to 3.74 percent and the average 7-year ARM jumping to 4.08 percent.  

Good news regarding the U.S. economy alternated with European debt worries and tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Despite ample nervousness among investors – a condition that would typically drive rates lower – mortgage rates posted a notable increase for the second time in three weeks. The November employment report due Friday Dec. 3 could be the catalyst for the next move in mortgage rates, with evidence of solid private sector job growth fuel for higher rates.

The last time mortgage rates were above 6 percent was Nov. 2008. At that time, the average rate was 6.33 percent, meaning a $200,000 loan would have carried a monthly payment of $1,241.86. With the average rate now 4.71 percent, the monthly payment for the same size loan would be $1,038.48, a savings of $203 per month for a homeowner refinancing now.

Bankrate's national weekly mortgage survey is conducted each Wednesday from data provided by the top 10 banks and thrifts in the top 10 markets.

For a full analysis of this week's move in mortgage rates, go to http://www.bankrate.com/.

The survey is complemented by Bankrate's weekly Rate Trend Index, in which a panel of mortgage experts predicts which way the rates are headed over the next seven days. Most panelists – 64 percent – think mortgage rates are headed higher, with 22 percent predicting mortgage rates will remain more or less unchanged over the next week. Just 14 percent expect mortgage rates to decline.

For the full mortgage Rate Trend Index, go to http://www.bankrate.com/RTI.

About Bankrate, Inc.

The Bankrate network of companies includes Bankrate.com, Interest.com, Mortgage-calc.com, Nationwide Card Services, Savingforcollege.com, Fee Disclosure, InsureMe CreditCardGuide.com, Bankaholic, CreditCards.com and NetQuote.  Each of these businesses helps consumers to make informed decisions about their personal finance matters. The company's flagship brand, Bankrate.com is a destination site of personal finance channels, including banking, investing, taxes, debt management and college finance. Bankrate.com is the leading aggregator of rates and other information on more than 300 financial products, including mortgages, credit cards, new and used auto loans, money market accounts and CDs, checking and ATM fees, home equity loans and online banking fees. Bankrate.com reviews more than 4,800 financial institutions in 575 markets in 50 states. Bankrate.com provides financial applications and information to a network of more than 75 partners, including Yahoo! (Nasdaq: YHOO), America Online (NYSE: AOL), The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times (NYSE: NYT). Bankrate.com's information is also distributed through more than 500 newspapers.  Bankrate, Inc. was acquired by Apax Partners, one of the world's leading private equity investment groups, in September 2009.  Apax operates across the United States, Europe and Asia and has more than 30 years of investing experience. For more information on Apax, visit: www.Apax.com.

NOTE TO EDITORS: The information contained in this release is available for print or broadcast with attribution to Bankrate.com

SOURCE Bankrate