Freddie Mac: Mortgage rates barely changed; 30-year fixed at 4.37%

Mortgage interest rates have changed little in recent days, with Freddie Mac saying fixed rates edged higher for a fourth straight week while start rates fell a notch on variable home loans.

The Freddie Mac survey, conducted Monday through early Wednesday, showed lenders were offering 30-year fixed-rate mortgages at an average interest rate of 4.37%, up from 4.33% a week earlier. The average rate for a 15-year fixed loan rose from 3.35% to 3.39%.

Meantime, the yield on the 10-year Treasury note, a barometer for long-term interest rates, fell from about 2.75% Monday to 2.65% early Thursday. That was pulling fixed mortgage rates lower again, said Roger Kumar, a north San Diego County mortgage broker.

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The start rate for loans that become adjustable after being fixed for the first years was 3.05% early this week, down from 3.08% a week ago, Freddie Mac said.

The big government-supported home finance company asks lenders each week about the terms they are offering creditworthy borrowers who would pay less than 1% of the loan amount in upfront fees and discount points.

Borrowers can pay extra points to get a lower rate or get no-cost loans at a higher rate.