Uncertainty Keeps Mortgage Rates in a Holding Pattern

Uncertainty about the economy caused mortgage interest rates to stay within a 2-basis-point range for the third straight week, according to Freddie Mac.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.17% for the week ending Feb. 9, down from last week when it averaged 4.19%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.65%.

"Rates are at about the same level at which they started the year and have stayed within a 2-basis-point range over the past three weeks. Mixed economic releases such as Friday's jobs report and uncertainty about the administration's fiscal policies have contributed to the holding pattern in rates," said Sean Becketti, chief economist at Freddie Mac.

The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.39%, down from last week when it averaged 3.41%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year averaged 2.95%.

The five-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage averaged 3.21%, down from last week when it averaged 3.23%, while a year ago it averaged 2.83%.

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