According to data provided by Freddie Mac, current mortgage rates are not adhering the forecasts by industry experts that called for higher rates in 2010.

15 year fixed rate mortgages are in the 4.25% range, their lowest rates since April of 1991. 30 year fixed interest rates have been averaging around 4.8%, at the one of its lowest points historically. 1 year adjustable loan rates have dropped to their lowest level this year. Five year adjustable mortgage rates have also remained fairly consistent.

Current interest rates are holding at historic levels still. In fact, rates on 15 year fixed-rate mortgages recently set another record low rates. Credit conditions among borrowers are also better. Homeowners who were up to date on their mortgage payments outnumbered borrowers who were defaulting on home loans.

Economists had expected mortgage interest rates to rise in 2010, beginning with the Federal Reserve’s completion of $1.25 trillion mortgage-backed security purchase program. However, since then mortgage interest rates continue to remain low. Between the months of March and May, 30 year fixed mortgage rates have gone down a full 0.2% and 15 year fixed mortgage rates have gone down 0.14%.

What is Keeping Mortgage Rates Low?

Some mortgage industry professionals are concerned that these rate drops may not necessarily be a good sign for our economy. They think that mortgage rates are not rising because of the effects of the European economic crisis is pushing investors to more reliable U.S. mortgage investments, which keeps rates low.

It is worth mentioning that interest rate declines in the past have proven fleeting, with rates moving higher after potentially permanent economic solutions have been identified.

While these low rates are good news for buying or refinancing a home, it’s also worth noting that not all borrowers will have equal opportunity to lock-in these low rates. In order to get the lowest mortgage rates available, borrowers typically will need a credit score of at least 720 and a good down payment to buy a home, or sufficient home equity to refinance.

Written by R. Smith: Mortgage Refinancing, Mortgage Quote, New Homes San Diego