© REALTOR® Magazine

Following weeks of gradual increases, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dipped slightly this week, possibly offering a slight window of opportunity at lower borrowing costs to some would-be buyers.

“The modest decline in mortgage rates is a welcome respite from the rapid increase in rates the last few weeks,” says Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “While the housing market has clearly softened in reaction to the rise in mortgage rates, the economy and consumer sentiment remains very robust and that will sustain purchase demand, particularly in affordable markets and neighborhoods.”

Freddie Mac reports the following national averages in mortgage rates for the week ending Oct. 18:

• 30-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 4.85 percent, with an average 0.5 point, dropping from last week’s 4.90 percent average. Last year at this time, 30-year rates averaged 3.88 percent.
• 15-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 4.26 percent, with an average 0.4 point, falling from last week’s 4.29 percent average. A year ago, 15-year rates averaged 3.19 percent.
• 5-year hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages: averaged 4.10 percent, with an average 0.3 point, rising from last week’s 4.07 percent average. A year ago, 5-year ARMs averaged 3.17 percent.