Borrowers with top-notch credit are scoring mortgage rates lower than the record average lows being reported. Freddie Mac announced the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.28% for the week ending May 14, but home shoppers with stellar credit could snag one with a rate of about 2.5%, according to The Mortgage Reports.
The Mortgage Reports’ daily rate survey shows that rates for 30-year, fixed rates for FHA and VA loans have fallen to 2.75%, in some cases. Borrowers with high credit scores, little debt, solid equity, and who shop around tend to find the lowest deals, The Mortgage Reports notes.
United Wholesale Mortgage, a residential mortgage lender, announced a 2.5% “Conquest” loan program for the 30-year, fixed- rate mortgage. “Some people said we’d never see interest rates drop below 3 percent on a 30-year mortgage,” says Mat Ishbia, United Wholesale Mortgage’s president and CEO. “We believe that the housing market is going to be strong, and we want to do our part to help more people get into their dream homes as we get through this pandemic together as a nation.”
Chase Bank followed suit by also offering mortgage rates below 3% on 30-year fixed-rate loans. Its offering for 30-year rates is as low as 2.875% (with a 2.944% APR).
Rates below 3% appear to be mostly reserved for purchase contracts and not refinancings, The Mortgage Reports notes. Refinance rates, for comparison, are falling in the 3.5% to 4% range.
Source: “2.5% Mortgage Rates Are Here. What’s Next—2%? Or Even 1%?” The Mortgage Reports (May 18, 2020)
