Every day we talk with people who are interested in creating a more modern, comfortable, usable and enjoyable space on their Cape Cod home site. Invariably money and finances enter the discussion. Affording and financing the new home is an important part of the equation.

With the cost of financing at record lows, combined with ever-increasing construction costs…”There’s no time like the present” to get your Cape Cod project underway. Additionally, new building codes are expected to go into effect this summer, with new energy efficiency requirements pushing costs up further.

So here’s a short read from the Real Estate board:

Freddie Mac recently released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), showing average fixed mortgage rates largely holding steady from the previous week, remaining near their 65-year record lows, and continuing to provide support for the housing recovery.

Results showed that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 3.52 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending March 7, 2013, up from last week when it averaged 3.51 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 3.88 percent.

Additionally, the 15-year FRM this week averaged 2.76 percent with an average 0.7 point, the same as last week. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 3.13 percent.

The survey shows that the 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 2.63 percent this week with an average 0.5 point, up from last week when it averaged 2.61 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 2.81 percent.

The 1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 2.63 percent this week with an average 0.3 point, down from last week when it averaged 2.64 percent. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 2.73 percent.

Average commitment rates should be reported along with average fees and points to reflect the total upfront cost of obtaining the mortgage. Visit the following links for the Regional and National Mortgage Rate Details and Definitions. Borrowers may still pay closing costs which are not included in the survey.

"With gross domestic product growing only 0.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2012, inflation remains at bay and consequently mortgage rates low," says Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, Freddie Mac. In fact, the price index of personal consumption expenditures rose only 0.1 percent in January which was below the market consensus forecast. Moreover, these low mortgage rates are helping to revive the housing market. For instance the CoreLogic® home price index rose 9.7 percent between January 2012 and 2013, marking the largest annual increase since April 2006."

Download our complimentary Guide: How to Control the Cost of your Project

Download our complimentary Guide: How to Control the Cost of your Project