Local Rates

Seattle/Tacoma Mortgage Rates Survey – Week of March 05, 2012

According to a recent Primerates.com survey of Seattle/Tacoma mortgage rates offered by the largest area banks & credit unions, one Seattle/Tacoma institution offered rates below 4.00% on 30-year fixed-rate conforming loans in the Seattle/Tacoma area for well-qualified borrowers. The HomeStreet Bank (www.homestreet.com) offered 3.95%. Three other institutions offered rates above 4.00% with the U.S. Bank National (www.usbank.com) offering the highest rates in the US with 4.25%.

While most lenders will push one of the three products on the list below, there are other options for the borrower.  The 30-year fixed rate loan is the most popular since it offers the lowest monthly payment.  The trade-off is paying a higher interest rate.  For those who have a better cash flow, the 15-year product may be more suitable.  The 15-year fixed rate loan will allow the borrower to pay more toward principal with each payment, and since it has a lower interest rate the overall amount of money that is paid in interest will be much lower.  While many people steer clear of the 5/1 ARM it is beneficial to some borrowers.  For instance, a person with a smaller loan (usually due to refinancing) may have the cash flow to pay off their ARM in 5 years or less.  This person could save an extra 1% in interest payments over the 15-year product and never worry about the rate adjusting later in the life of the loan.

Top Seattle/Tacoma Area Banks and Credit Unions

As of

30 Yr-Rate

30 Yr- APR

15 Yr- Rate

15 Yr- APR

5/1 ARM-IR

5/1 ARM-APR

U.S. Bank National

03/04/2012

4.25%

4.31%

3.50%

3.61%

2.88%

3.50%

KeyBank National

03/04/2012

4.06%

4.11%

3.35%

3.44%

2.81%

3.15%

HomeStreet Bank

03/04/2012

3.95%

4.09%

3.25%

3.49%

2.75%

2.55%

First Savings Bank Northwest

03/04/2012

4.13%

4.21%

3.38%

3.52%

NA

NA

 

Listed rates from banks, thrifts, and credit unions were listed on their websites on the date indicated for conforming loans with 0 points.  Data is believed accurate at time of collection, can change without notice, and will vary based on an individual’s credit history.  Contact a specific institution for current rates.

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