Homebuilder sentiment highest since Sept.

Low interest rates and other incentives are helping to woo buyers

Slideshow

Sand castles
Open House: A look at some properties for sale around the country with an ocean view.

Latest interest rates

See today's average mortgage rates across the country.

Loan type	Today	+/-	Last week
30-year fixed	5.07%		5.19%
15-year fixed	4.63%		4.72%
30-year fixed jumbo	5.91%		6.10%
5/1 ARM	4.20%		4.20%
7/1 ARM	4.42%		4.52%

Source: Bankrate.com | View rates in your area

See today's average home equity rates across the country.

Loan type	Today	+/-	Last week
$30K HELOC	5.23%		5.23%
$30K home equity loan	8.32%		8.35%
$75K home equity loan	8.25%		8.39%
$50K home equity loan	8.21%		8.36%
$50K HELOC	4.96%		4.99%

Source: Bankrate.com | View rates in your area

See today's savings rates across the country.

Savings type	Today	+/-	Last week
Money market	1.04%		1.05%
$10K money market	1.12%		1.13%
Six-month CD	1.14%		1.14%
One-year CD	1.61%		1.61%
Five-year CD	2.61%		2.62%

Source: Bankrate.com | View rates in your area

See today's average auto rates across the country.

Loan type	Today	+/-	Last week
48-month new car loan	7.08%		7.05%
36-month used car loan	7.42%		7.39%
36-month new car loan	6.93%		6.90%
60-month new car loan	7.13%		7.11%

Source: Bankrate.com | View rates in your area

See today's average credit card rates across the country.

Card type	Fixed	Variable
Standard	13.46%	11.48%
Gold	12.12%	9.90%
Platinum	10.97%	12.21%
All	12.31%	11.68%

Source: Bankrate.com | View more rates

Interactive

Foreclosure rates by state
Foreclosure rates tend to be highest in four key states. Click to see the progression for every state since 2005.

updated 3:03 p.m. ET July 16, 2009

LOS ANGELES - The National Association of Home Builders says its housing market index climbed in July to the highest level in nearly a year, as low interest rates and other incentives helped builders woo homebuyers.

The Washington-based trade association said Thursday the index rose two points to 17, its highest reading since it was 17 in September.

Index readings lower than 50 indicate negative sentiment about the market. The last time it was above 50 was in April 2006.

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The report reflects a survey of 484 residential developers nationwide, tracking builders' perceptions of market conditions.

The reading for current sales conditions rose three points to 17, while traffic by prospective buyers rose one point to 14. The sales expectations index over the next six months was unchanged at 26.