The average U.S. rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage dropped back below 4 percent this week, remaining near historic lows.
According to mortgage buyer Freddie Mac, the rate on the 30-year loan slipped to 3.99 percent from 4.08 percent last week.
Last month, the rate hit 3.87 percent, the lowest since long-term mortgages started in the 1950s.
The average rate on the 15-year fixed mortgage fell as well, to 3.23 percent.
That’s a drop from 3.30 percent last week and above the record low of 3.13 percent hit earlier this month.
The low rates have made home-buying and refinancing more affordable at a time when the housing market is showing signs of improvement.
Most economists believe it will take years for the market to fully recover from the housing bust.
January and February made up the best winter for re-sales in five years, when the housing crisis started.
Also, builders are more confident.
Source: philly.com