I am a regular participant in the Bankrate.com Mortgage Rate Trend survey and this week's survey is now available.

As a reminder:

1. The survey is for conforming loans only.
2. I welcome personal emails about purchase or refinance plans.
3. I twitter market updates a few times daily.  Follow me.

Anyway, on to the group's predictions for the next 30 days:

• 29% of participants predict rates will increase
• 21% of participants predict rates will decrease
• 50% of participants predict rates will remain unchanged

I am predicting that rates will increase over the next 30 days, but that doesn't mean you should necessarily follow my advice when choosing whether to lock a rate, or float it.  My advice may not be appropriate for your individual situation.

From the Bankrate.com survey:

"As the risk premium of Fannie and Freddie's debt increases, mortgage rates follow."

What's risk premium, you ask?  It's the extra rate of return that Wall Street requires from a company because investors fear for their money.  The chart we showed earlier this week should clarify.

If government debt is considered guaranteed, you'll see, mortgage-backed debt is getting farther and farther away from guaranteed, day by day.

Dan Green is an active loan officer. Email or call 513-443-2020. Dan is on Twitter at @mortgagereports.