Average mortgage rates in August continued their steady decline and are now at their lowest rate since last November. According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.59%, 13 basis points (bps) lower than July. Meanwhile, the 15-year rate declined 15 bps to 5.71%.

Compared to a year ago, the 30-year rate is higher by 9 basis points (bps), and the 15-year rate is marginally higher by 3 bps.

The 10-year Treasury yield, a key benchmark for long-term borrowing, averaged 4.29% in August – an 8 bps decrease from the previous month. Yields moved unevenly during the month: initially declining, then rising following July’s inflation report that noted an acceleration in core inflation.

NAHB Director of Tax and Trade Policy and Housing Policy Research Jesse Wade provides more insights in this Eye on Housing post.