August 2008 - Rates on fixed-rate mortgages fell for the week ending Aug. 21, while rates on adjustable-rate mortgages were stable or up slightly, Freddie Mac said today in its weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey.

Rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 6.47 percent with an a verage 0.7 point, down from 6.52 percent last week and 6.52 percent a year ago. The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6 percent with an average 0.7 point, down from 6.07 percent a week ago, and 6.18 percent a year ago.

Five-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) averaged 5.99 percent with an average 0.6 point, down from 6.02 percent last week and 6.34 percent a year ago. One-year Treasury-indexed ARMs averaged 5.29 percent with an average 0.5 point, up from 5.18 percent last week and 5.6 percent a year ago.  read more »

The UK has a diverse mortgage market, but fixed rate mortgages are a popular option. Here is a guide to fixed rate mortgages and some of the issues to consider before taking one out.

There are now more fixed rate mortgages on offer than ever before in the UK but is this a good thing for UK homeowners? Well, the Chancellor showed his support of fixed rate mortgages in the budget and it seems as though lenders are taking note of this by offering these staggeringly long fixed rate mortgage deals. But 30 years! I think this is a step too far.

When you're buying a home, finding the right mortgage is just as important as finding the right home. The first decision you will need to make is the type of interest rates you will be borrowing on. This article will take you through the basics of adjustable and fix rates. Most people either choose a fixed rate or an adjustable rate mortgage. But before making an important commitment, you should learn the pros and cons of both.

As a consumer you will find that there are a lot of different types of mortgages available to you, and as such it can be very difficult for you to choose the right one that best suits you. However when you do not quite know what lies round the corner one solution can stand out from the rest and that is a fixed rate mortgage.

The new Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling has indicated that intervention may be needed in order to raise the amount of fixed-rate mortgages available lasting up to 25 years.
Mortgage lenders have been accused of lending fixed rate home loans on only a short-term basis in order to maximise their profits. This might be good [...]

only apply to newly written mortgages, adding that fixed rate mortgages comprise just one in five Australian home loans, while variable rate mortgages account for four in five. 'If you already have a fixed rate and they lower the fixed rate it's not