Mortgage rates drop slightly in week

WASHINGTON, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- Interest rates for 30-year, fixed-rate U.S. mortgages dropped slightly in the week ending Nov. 6, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. said Thursday.

The 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.2 percent with an average 0.7 points in the week, Freddie Mac said.

A week ago, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages averaged 6.46 percent with an average 0.7 points. A year ago, the average rate was 6.24 percent.

At 5.88 percent with an average 0.7 points, the 15-year, fixed-rate average also declined, dropping from the previous week's average of 6.19 percent. A year ago, 15-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 5.9 percent, the report said.

"Mortgage rates fell this week amid new indications of a pullback in consumer spending and a weaker jobs market," said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist.

Nothaft noted that fixed-rate mortgages "are currently the predominant choice among homebuyers and families looking to refinance."

Nothaft pointed to a shrinking economy and and tighter lending restrictions.

"Approximately 70 percent of banks raised their lending standards for prime mortgages and about 90 percent of banks that offer non-traditional mortgages did so as well.," he said.