Long-term US mortgage rates fall to lowest level this year

Long-term US mortgage rates fell this week, led by the benchmark 30-year rate, which declined for the sixth straight week.

Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac says the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell to 3.78 percent, from 3.82 percent in the previous week. That is down sharply from this year's peak of 4.3 percent, reached in March, though it remains slightly above last year's average of 3.65 percent.

Long-term mortgage rates typically follow the yield on the 10-year Treasury note, which has fallen to 2.05 percent, the lowest level this year. Bond yields have fallen as investors, rattled by everything from North Korean nuclear tests to hurricanes in the U.S., have flocked to the safety of Treasurys.

The 15-year mortgage averaged 3.08 percent, down from 3.12 percent last week. Those loans are frequently used by homeowners refinancing their mortgages.

To calculate average mortgage rates, Freddie Mac surveys lenders across the country between Monday and Wednesday each week. The average doesn't include extra fees, known as points, which most borrowers must pay to get the lowest rates. One point equals 1 percent of the loan amount.

The average fee for a 30-year mortgage was unchanged from last week at 0.5 point. The fee on 15-year loans also remained at 0.5 point.

Rates on adjustable five-year loans ticked up to 3.15 percent from 3.14 percent last week. The fee slipped to 0.4 point.