Rate drop in September 2009 spells good news for consumers

Plastered all over the media this past week was news that mortage rates fell for the week ending September 7-11 2009 as a result of Fed auction results. The rates are now near historic lows. Here are a few links to stories about the drop which was announced primarily on September 10th 2009:

http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/consumer_rates/106240.aspx

http://www.freddiemac.com/pmms/release.html

http://www.housingwire.com/2009/09/10/weekly-mortgage-rate-dips-to-507-freddie-mac/

http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/industries/finance/freddie-mac-fixed-mortgage-rates-inch-lower/

From the Fox news article above: "The national average interest rate on the benchmark 30-year, fixed-rate loan averaged 5.07% in the week ending Thursday, down from last week's 5.08% and the year-ago 5.93%"

Some pundits are even predicting mortage rates will fall further:

http://themortgagereports.com/2009/09/mortgage-rates-cincinnati-september-10-2009.html

Comparing 5.07%, the new rate, with last years 5.93%, shows that on a $100,000 30 year fixed loan a buyer today would pay $541.11 dollars, compared to $595.06 for the same amount last year, or about 9% less. Wow! What a difference a year can make. With good rates and the $8,000 tax credit in place until November 30th 2009, buying vs. renting just make start making a whole lot more sense to some people.