NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — Mortgage rates fell this week, with the 15-year fixed rate hitting yet another record low, amid news of weak job growth during the month of March.
Borrowers seeking 15-year mortgages, a popular choice for those looking to refinance, were rewarded with an average interest rate of just 3.11% this week, down from last week’s 3.21% and more than one percentage point lower than a year earlier, according to Freddie Mac (FMCC, Fortune 500)’s weekly mortgage rate survey.
The rate on 30-year fixed mortgage also fell, to 3.88% from 3.98% the week before, just short of its ownrecord low of 3.87%, set back in February.
The declines were a reversal from a few weeks ago when it appeared as if interest rates would start to creep up. Frank Nothaft, Freddie’s chief economist, attributed the drop to concerns over the economy brought on by a weak jobs report for the month of March that was released last week.
The news sent Treasury yields tumbling. Mortgage rates closely track 10-year bonds.
“Although the unemployment rate fell to the lowest reading since January 2009, the overall economy added just 120,000 new jobs in March, nearly half that of the market consensus forecast,” he said.
Mortgages are now an extreme bargain for homebuyers and those looking to refinance.
The Hegseth Home Team 