Tidal Wave Hits U.S.

Freddie economist Amy Crews Cutts expects fixed-rates to stay around 5.7 percent in the near term. “The high volatility in interest rates is likely to remain for a while,” she said. “But since there are no upward pressures at the moment any sustained rise in rates is highly unlikely.”

The majority of participants in Bankrate.com’s weekly survey, which includes mortgage bankers, mortgage brokers and other industry experts, also expect rates to hover at their current level for the next few weeks.

The average 15-year fixed rate was down eight BPS from the prior week to 4.93%, according to Freddie, and the average one-year Treasury-based adjustable rate mortgage also fell eight BPS to 3.68%.

Fueled by record low interest rates, the refinance index jumped 35% to 8920.9, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association of America’s (MBAs) weekly survey of mortgage bankers, commercial banks and thrifts. This level of activity was inconceivable before September 11.

MBA reported that purchase applications barely edged down from the prior week, but overall applications were up 27% to a record index of 1603.1.

The 10-year Treasury yield, which had fallen to 3.59% yesterday, was up 16 BPS to 3.75% late Thursday. The price was down $1.375 to $101. The 44 year low for the 10-year is 3.57%, according to The New York Times.