Downtrend in US fixed mortgage rates halted

Washington

FIXED mortgage rates' downward march came to a halt this week. According to the latest data released on Thursday by Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate average held steady at 3.78 per cent with an average 0.5 point, same as it was last week. (Points are fees paid to a lender equal to one per cent of the loan amount.) It was 3.5 per cent a year ago.

The 15-year fixed-rate average also didn't move, remaining at 3.08 per cent with an average 0.5 point. It was 2.77 per cent a year ago. The five-ye…