Nice illussion
"During the first quarter the median ratio of old-to-new interest rates was 0.98 which means that one half of borrowers who were refinancing mortgages ended up with a new loan with a rate that was two percent higher than the old rate.[1] "
The writer clearly wishes to imply that owners refinanced 6% loans for 8% loans or something to that effect.
However two percent higher would shift from
6% to 6.12% as a median shift.
Which makes perfect sense as rates crept up earlier this year, folks on variable rate mortgages shifted to fixed products which often have a slightly higher rate to accomodate the long term interest risk of the lender.
Dumb solicialists assume people can't engage in Math and Finance at the same time.
And because the 1 year ARM is just about the only kind "advertised", many people are unaware that there are 2, 3, 4 and 5 year ARMS ~ and they all have different rates, and didn't all come due for revision this year.