NEW YORK (CNN/Money) -
Longer-term home-loan rates eased despite a Wednesday decision by the Federal Reserve to lift interest rates, mortgage financier Freddie Mac said in its latest report Thursday.
"As expected, long-term mortgage rates were relatively unaffected by the Fed's recent actions," said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist.
"And, as also expected, short-term mortgage rates moved upward in response to those same actions."
The rate on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 6.21 percent in the week ending July 1, with an average 0.6 point payable up front, down from 6.25 percent the previous week, Freddie Mac said.
A year-earlier, the rate on the 30-year fixed-rate loan averaged 5.24 percent.
The 15-year mortgage rate eased to 5.62 percent from 5.64 percent, also with 0.6 point payable up front. Last year, rates stood at 4.63 percent.
One-year adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) averaged 4.19 percent, up from 4.13 percent the week prior, with 0.7 of a point payable up front. A year-earlier the average rate for ARMs was 3.45 percent.
"Although we anticipate a moderation in the housing sector at some future point, with the economy picking up steam and mortgage rates still low by historical standards, the housing market will remain buoyant for at least the rest of the year," added Nothaft.
Freddie Mac's (FRE: down $1.19 to $62.11, Research, Estimates) average mortgage rates are based on a survey of 125 lenders nationwide.
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