Last year, most financial experts — really, anyone who kept up with Fed moves — were certain that interest rates would finally begin to rise in 2014. Now, eight months into the year, mortgage rates are still at record lows and — surprisingly — consumers aren’t even taking advantage of them.
Mortgage originations have declined every quarter since 2012; but if interest rates only have one direction to go from here, why aren’t more potential home buyers jumping at the chance to lock into low rates for decades?
How Low Mortgage Rates Can Save Home Buyers $200,000
There are many reasons locking into a low mortgage rate now is crucial. When it comes to 15- or 30-year mortgages, a 10th of a percentile can make a huge difference in terms of costs over the life of a loan, as well as month over month. And when rates do go up — which they will, sooner or later — home buyers will be looking at hikes of more than just a few basis points.
According to Freddie Mac, average mortgage rates reached a high of 16.63% in 1981, eventually dipping to pre-recession rates of 6.41% in 2006. At that percentage, total interest paid over the life of a loan (at the current median home price of $215,000) would amount to $215,718, with monthly payments of $1,301. Compare that to the 2013 average of 3.98%: Total interest would be almost halved, at $122,902, and the monthly payments would be more than $250 cheaper.
To demonstrate why 2014 is the year to take advantage of record-low rates — and highlight where consumers can find the best interest rates in the country — GOBankingRates partnered with RateWatch to survey average mortgage rates across the U.S., ranking the 10 most and least affordable states for taking out a home loan.
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10 Least Expensive States for Mortgage Rates
| Rank | State | Average Mortgage Rate |
| No. 1 | Rhode Island | 3.395% |
| No. 2 | Connecticut | 3.413% |
| No. 3 | Nevada | 3.459% |
| No. 4 | Pennsylvania | 3.551% |
| No. 5 | Maryland | 3.593% |
| No. 6 | Massachusetts | 3.597% |
| No. 7 | Mississippi | 3.599% |
| No. 8 | Hawaii | 3.603% |
| No. 9 | Minnesota | 3.623% |
| No. 10 | New Hampshire | 3.649% |
10 Most Expensive States for Mortgage Rates
| Rank | State | Average Mortgage Rate |
| No. 1 | Nebraska | 4.102% |
| No. 2 | South Dakota | 4.066% |
| No. 3 | Wyoming | 4.059% |
| No. 4 | Vermont | 4.020% |
| No. 5 | Oklahoma | 4.019% |
| No. 6 | Arizona | 3.954% |
| No. 7 | Montana | 3.938% |
| No. 8 | Indiana | 3.858% |
| No. 9 | West Virginia | 3.854% |
| No. 10 | Iowa | 3.853% |
What Affects Regional Mortgage Rates
Several factors work in tandem to drive mortgage rate changes. On the national level, the prime rate, LIBOR, bond yields, inflation and mortgage-backed securities all affect interest rates. Regionally, factors like borrower demand, local property values, default rates, loan concentration and unemployment can play a part in mortgage rate variation, as well.
So where is the cheapest place to take out a loan? Of the 10 best states for affordable mortgage rates, six are located in the Northeast. Conversely, six of the 10 worst states for mortgage rates are located in the Midwest and Northwest.
These trends could be somewhat attributed to the local housing markets, specifically local home prices, according to David Donhoff, a certified mortgage planner.
“In the Midwest where loan amounts are small, rates are forced to be higher simply to cover the transaction costs in the rebate and yield of the rates offered,” Donhoff said. “On the coasts the loan sizes are larger, and that also creates more competition, so the two factors together drive average rates lower.”
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Local mortgage rates are also largely dictated by the principle of supply and demand. If a region’s economy is struggling and the unemployment rate is high, people will be less likely to be buying houses, forcing rates to fall to entice borrowers. Likewise, if housing demand is high thanks to local job growth and a strengthening economy, buyer demand will increase, allowing rates to do the same.
Variations in risk can also affect the rates consumers are offered.
“Mortgage rates are largely driven by risk,” said Bennie D. Waller, Ph.D, professor of finance and real estate at Longwood University. “That is, areas with a higher risk of default will command a higher mortgage rate. Much like we saw different areas of the country encounter varying degrees of housing default in the 2007-2008 housing crisis, different areas will also have varying degrees of credit risk.”
Matt Shibata, CFA and portfolio manager, brought up an often over-looked mortgage influence: closing costs.
“Closing costs have lots of regional variations based in state and county laws, fees, and taxes,” Shibata said. “These closing cost differences are the main drivers of the regional variation people see in mortgage rates, since they impact the APR, which is the format that lenders must quote in.”
Mortgage Rate Predictions for 2015
Several months ago, James Bullard of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis predicted that interest rates will rise in quarter one of 2015, at which point we can likely expect mortgage rates to return to pre-recession levels as well — around the 6% mark last seen in 2006. Bolstering this prediction, the economy is regaining momentum; the Dow Jones, Nasdaq and S&P 500 are all performing once more.
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As various economic factors and Fed policies fall into place, mortgage rates will go up — eventually surpassing early 2000s numbers and hitting the rates last seen during the economic height of the 1990s — the 7-8% range. And before that happens, potential home buyers would do well to capitalize on the today’s record-low rates. Purchasing a home now rather than waiting could make all the difference — hundreds of thousands of dollars in difference — down the road.
Click to the next page to see the complete rankings.
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The article discusses the dynamics of mortgage rates, the reasons behind the persistence of low rates in 2014, and how homebuyers can benefit from these historically low rates. It also ranks states based on their average mortgage rates and explores the factors that affect regional variations in mortgage rates.
Here are the key concepts and information covered in the article:
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Expectations of Rising Interest Rates in 2014: Financial experts and individuals closely following the Federal Reserve (Fed) expected interest rates to increase in 2014. However, this did not materialize as mortgage rates remained at record lows throughout the year.
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Declining Mortgage Originations: The article mentions that mortgage originations had been declining since 2012, despite the anticipation of rising rates.
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Impact of Interest Rates on Mortgage Costs: Even a small change in interest rates can have a significant impact on the total cost of a mortgage over its term. The article emphasizes that locking into low rates is crucial, as rates are expected to rise in the future.
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Historical Mortgage Rates: The article provides historical context, highlighting that average mortgage rates reached their peak at 16.63% in 1981 and dropped to 6.41% in 2006 before the recession. Lower rates translate to substantial savings for homebuyers.
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Regional Mortgage Rate Rankings: The article ranks states based on their average mortgage rates, identifying the ten least expensive and ten most expensive states for obtaining a home loan.
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Factors Influencing Regional Mortgage Rates: Regional mortgage rates are influenced by factors such as borrower demand, local property values, default rates, loan concentration, unemployment rates, and risk levels.
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Local Housing Markets: Local housing market conditions, including home prices and job growth, play a significant role in determining regional mortgage rates.
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Risk and Mortgage Rates: Areas with a higher risk of default typically command higher mortgage rates. The article references the 2007-2008 housing crisis as an example of varying degrees of credit risk across regions.
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Closing Costs: Regional differences in closing costs, dictated by state and county laws, fees, and taxes, also impact regional mortgage rates. These differences affect the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) quoted by lenders.
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Mortgage Rate Predictions for 2015: The article mentions a prediction by James Bullard of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis that interest rates would rise in the first quarter of 2015. It suggests that mortgage rates may return to pre-recession levels of around 6%.
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Economic Factors and Fed Policies: Economic factors and Fed policies have a direct impact on mortgage rates. As the economy strengthens and Fed policies change, mortgage rates are expected to increase, possibly reaching rates last seen in the 1990s.
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Advice to Homebuyers: The article advises potential homebuyers to take advantage of the historically low mortgage rates before they rise, emphasizing the potential for significant savings over the long term.
In summary, the article provides insights into the factors influencing mortgage rates, regional variations in rates, historical context, and predictions for future rates. It also encourages readers to consider their options in light of the prevailing low rates.
