Fed Announces Low Rates Through 2014, Mortgage Affordability Remains High

The Federal Reserve announced  that they will keep interest rates low until at least late 2014 in an effort to help jump-start the sluggish economy by making it less expensive to borrow money across all segments of the economy.

What this means for home buyers and current homeowners is that mortgage rates for a purchase loan or to refinance will remain remarkably low in the near-term, keeping affordability high. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell below four percent onZillow Mortgage Marketplace in mid-October 2011 and has dropped as low as 3.67 percent in recent weeks.

Here’s a quick comparison of mortgage rates and affordability using today’s rates compared to 2008:

Today’s rates: For a home buyer shopping for a home today assuming 20 percent down and today’s interest rate of 3.7%, they would be able to afford a $215,000 home with a monthly mortgage payment of about $1,000 per month (including principal and interest).

2008 rates: If a home buyer shopped for a home in 2008 when mortgage rates averaged roughly 6 percent, the same home buyer would only be able to afford a $165,000 home for $1,000 per month (including principal and interest)

Difference: $50,000

Courtesy of Harris Real Estate University