30-year mortgages dip below 5%

Rates for 30-year home loans dipped below 5 percent this week after rising for three straight weeks.

The average rate fell to 4.98 percent from 5.03 percent a week earlier, mortgage company Freddie Mac said Thursday.

Rates had hovered below 5 percent for nearly a month until inching upward two weeks ago. They hit a record low of 4.78 percent in the spring but are still attractive for people looking to buy a home or refinance.

The Federal Reserve has pumped $1.25 trillion into mortgage-backed securities in an effort to lower rates on mortgages and loosen credit. Rates on 30-year mortgages traditionally track yields on long-term government debt.

The average rate on a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage declined to 4.40 percent from 4.46 percent recorded last week, according to Freddie Mac.

Rates on five-year, adjustable-rate mortgages averaged 4.35 percent, down from last week's 4.42 percent. Rates on one-year, adjustable-rate mortgages decreased to 4.47 percent from 4.57 percent.

The rates do not include add-on fees known as points.

AP