The 30-year fixed loan rate rises

The 30-year fixed loan rate rose to 4.12 percent this Thursday. That’s up from 3.94 percent last week, the lowest rate ever according to the National Bureau of Economic Research.  Rates have been below 5 percent for all but two weeks in the past year. Just five years ago they were closer to 6.5 percent.

Super low rates haven’t been enough to lift the housing market, which has struggled in recent years with low sales and declining home prices.

While fixed rates rose this week, most mortgage industry experts (55%) polled by Bankrate.com expect another decline over the short term. Only 27% predict another increase while the remaining 18% foresee stability. More on loan rates and the real estate market.

Source: Florida Realtors