INDUSTRY ILLUSTRATED
WRAP YOUR HEAD AROUND THE MARKET'S LEADING INDICATORS
The Seasonal Pattern of Mortgage Rates
Sources: Freddie Mac,TheMortgageReports.com
8.76
8.94
8.85
8.43
8.67
1992
8.51
8.13
7.00
6.89
7.01
7.98
7.92
8.09
8.31
8.21
6.99
2002
6.81
6.65
6.49
6.29
6.09
3.92
January
3.89
February
3.95
March
3.91
April
3.80
May
3.68
June
DS News tracks the latest and most relevant industry data
and reports to keep you in the know. This month, we take a
look at mortgage rates, illustrating how when charted year
after year, a pattern emerges—rates inherently and habitually
track the four seasons. Using monthly data points from
Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey and tracing
back 20 years (in intervals of 10 to illustrate the scope of the
results while accommodating our limited amount of space
112
3.55
July
3.60
August
6.11
6.07
6.05
2012
3.47
September
3.38
3.35
3.35
October
November
December
here), it's clear to see that beginning around April, rates
head lower as the mercury in the thermometer heads higher,
exhibiting a fairly steady decline through the remainder of the
year. Based on the typical trajectory, we can expect mortgage
rates to continue declining in the months ahead. Evidence
holding true to this form has already materialized, with Freddie
Mac reporting five straight weeks of steady declines beginning
the week of April 1st.
