Mortgage Rates Drop Below 7%

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped below the 7% mark, averaging 6.94% as of May 23, according to the Primary Mortgage Market Survey published by Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC). A year ago at this time, it averaged 6.57%.

“Spring homebuyers received an unexpected windfall this week, as mortgage rates fell below the 7% threshold for the first time in over a month,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “Although this week’s data on previously owned home sales showed a decline, total inventory of both new and existing homes is up. Greater supply coupled with the recent downward trend in rates is an encouraging sign for the housing market.”