Thirty-year, fixed-rate mortgages moved closer to the all-time low of 4.82 percent reached in May, falling to 4.87 percent this week from 4.94 percent a week ago, according to Freddie Mac.

Home owners who refinance have an opportunity to reduce their payment on a 30-year, fixed-rate loan for $200,000 by nearly $134 a month from a year ago, when long-term rates averaged 5.94 percent.

Other mortgage averages were as follows:

  • 15-year loans fell to 4.33 percent.
  • Five-year adjustable-rate mortgages dropped to 4.35 percent.
  • One-year ARMs rose to 4.53 percent.

Source: Chicago Sun-Times, Francine Knowles (10/09/09)