U.S. mortgage rates rise in week

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Interest rates for 30-year, fixed-rate U.S. mortgages increased in the week ending Oct. 30, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. said Thursday.

The 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.46 percent with an average 0.7 points in the week, Freddie Mac said. A week ago, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages averaged 6.04 percent. while a year ago they averaged 6.26 percent.

At 6.19 percent with an average 0.7 points, the 15-year, fixed-rate average also increased climbing from the previous week's average of 5.72 percent. A year ago, 15-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 5.91 percent, the report said.

"Long-term mortgage rates followed long-term Treasury bond yields higher this week, pushing fixed-rate mortgages up to levels of two weeks ago," said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist.

"House-price declines in many markets have improved housing affordability and stimulated home sales," he said. "

In September, sales of existing homes rose 5.5 percent while sales of new homes were up 2.7 percent," Nothaft noted.