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Mortgage rates are down across most terms this week. The most popular 30-year mortgage rate has inched down eight basis points from this time last week.
Positive economic data showing that inflation is slowing has pushed mortgage rates down. It’s likely they’ll fall further as inflation continues to come down and the Federal Reserve is able to pull back from its fight against price growth.
All this is good news if you’re hoping to buy a home soon. If you’re waiting for better rates before you start shopping for a home, you may finally find some increased affordability by the time we reach the spring buying season in 2024.
Current Mortgage Rates
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Current Refinance Rates
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Mortgage Calculator
Use our free mortgage calculator to see how today’s mortgage rates would impact your monthly payments. By plugging in different rates and term lengths, you’ll also understand how much you’ll pay over the entire length of your mortgage.
Mortgage Calculator
$1,161
Your estimated monthly payment
- Paying a 25% higher down payment would save you $8,916.08 on interest charges
- Lowering the interest rate by 1% would save you $51,562.03
- Paying an additional $500 each month would reduce the loan length by 146 months
Click “More details” for tips on how to save money on your mortgage in the long run.
Mortgage Rates for Buying a Home
30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Inch Down (-0.08%)
The current average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 6.91%, down eight basis points since this time last week. This rate is also down quite a bit compared to a month ago, when it was 7.72%.
At 6.91%, you’ll pay $659 monthly toward principal and interest for every $100,000 you borrow.
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is the most common type of home loan. With this type of mortgage, you’ll pay back what you borrowed over 30 years, and your interest rate won’t change for the life of the loan.
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Decrease (-0.13%)
The average 20-year fixed mortgage rate is down 13 basis points from last week and sits at 6.58%. This time last month, the rate was 7.62%.
With a 6.58% rate on a 20-year term, your monthly payment will be $750 toward principal and interest for every $100,000 borrowed.
A 20-year term isn’t as common as a 30-year or 15-year term, but plenty of mortgage lenders still offer this option.
15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Essentially Flat (-0.02%)
The average 15-year mortgage rate is 6.29%, down a tiny bit from last week. It’s also down from this time last month, when it was 6.80%.
With a 6.29% rate on a 15-year term, you’ll pay $860 each month toward principal and interest for every $100,000 borrowed.
If you want the predictability that comes with a fixed rate but are looking to spend less on interest over the life of your loan, a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage might be a good fit for you. Because these terms are shorter and have lower rates than 30-year fixed-rate mortgages, you could potentially save tens of thousands of dollars in interest. However, you’ll have a higher monthly payment than you would with a longer term.
7/1 ARM Rates Drop (-0.35%)
The 7/1 adjustable mortgage rate is lower than it was a week ago, currently at 7.04%. It’s down since this time last month as well, when it was at 7.91%.
At 7.04%, your monthly payment would be $668 toward principal and interest for every $100,000 borrowed — but only for the first seven years. After that, your payment would increase or decrease annually depending on the new rate.
5/1 ARM Rates Tick Up (+0.17%)
The average 5/1 ARM rate is 7.20%, a 17-point increase from last week. But it’s a bit lower than it was a month ago, when it was 7.54%.
Here’s how a 7.20% rate would affect you for the first five years: You’d pay $679 per month toward principal and interest for every $100,000 you borrow.
30-year FHA Rates Dip (-0.21%)
The average 30-year FHA interest rate is 6.29% today, which is a bit lower than it was a week ago. This rate was 6.75% a month ago.
At 6.29%, you would pay $618 monthly toward principal and interest for every $100,000 borrowed.
FHA mortgages are good choices if you don’t qualify for a conforming mortgage. You’ll need a 3.5% down payment and 580 credit score to qualify.
30-year VA Rates Go Down a Bit (-0.12%)
The current VA mortgage rate is 6.16%, 25 basis points down from this time last week. This rate was 7.12% a month ago.
With a 6.16% rate, your monthly payment would be $610 toward principal and interest for every $100,000 you borrow.
Mortgage Refinance Rates
30-Year Fixed Refinance Rates Fall (-0.16%)
The average 30-year refinance rate is 7.10%, which is down from last week. It’s also down compared to a month ago, when it was 7.77%.
Here’s how a 7.10% rate would affect your monthly payments: You’d pay $672 toward principal and interest for every $100,000 borrowed.
Refinancing into a 30-year term can land you lower monthly payments, but you’ll ultimately pay more by refinancing into a longer term.
20-Year Fixed Refinance Up a Bit (+0.18%)
The current 20-year fixed refinance rate is 6.89%, which 18 basis points up compared to a week ago. This rate was 7.56% this time last month.
A 6.89% rate on a 20-year term will result in a $769 monthly payment toward principal and interest for every $100,000 you borrow.
15-Year Fixed Refinance Rates Barely Go Down (-0.05%)
The average 15-year fixed refinance rate is 6.62%, which is nearly flat compared to last week. This rate is just a bit lower compared to this time in October, when it was at 6.78%.
A 6.62% rate on a 15-year term means you’ll pay $878 each month toward principal and interest for every $100,000 borrowed.
Refinancing into a 15-year term can save you money in the long run, because you’ll get a lower rate and pay off your mortgage faster than you would with a 30-year term. But it could result in higher monthly payments.
7/1 ARM Refinance Rates Hold Steady (-0.02%)
The average 7/1 ARM refinance rate is 6.96%, right around where it was last week. A month ago, it was higher at 7.73%.
Refinancing into a 7/1 ARM with a 6.96% rate means your monthly payment toward principal and interest will be $663 for every $100,000 you borrow. This will be the payment for the first seven years, then your rate will change annually unless you refinance again.
5/1 ARM Refinance Rates Inch Up (+0.09%)
The 5/1 ARM refinance rate is 7.37%, up just a little bit from last week. It’s been holding relatively steady compared to this time last month, when it was 7.44%.
A 7.37% rate will result in a monthly payment of $690 toward principal and interest for every $100,000 borrowed. You’ll pay this amount for the first five years of your new mortgage.
30-Year FHA Refinance Rates Decrease a Tiny Bit (-0.06%)
The 30-year FHA refinance rate is 6.37%, which is slightly down from last week. This rate was 6.50% this time last month.
A 6.37% refinance rate would lead to a $624 monthly payment toward the principal and interest per $100,000 borrowed.
30-Year VA Refinance Rates Go Down (-0.38%)
The average 30-year VA refinance rate is 6.36%, which is down from last week. This rate was 7.20% a month ago.
At 6.36%, your new monthly payment would be $623 toward principal and interest for every $100,000 you borrow.
Are Mortgage Rates Going Down?
Mortgage rates started ticking up from historic lows in the second half of 2021 and increased over three percentage points in 2022. Mortgage rates have risen throughout 2023, and they’re higher than they were in November 2022.
As inflation starts to come down, mortgage rates will recede somewhat as well. But average 30-year fixed rates will likely remain somewhere in the 7% to 8% range in the near term.
For homeowners looking to leverage their home’s value to cover a big purchase — such as a home renovation — a home equity line of credit (HELOC) may be a good option while we wait for mortgage rates to ease. Check out some of our best HELOC lenders to start your search for the right loan for you.
A HELOC is a line of credit that lets you borrow against the equity in your home. It works similarly to a credit card in that you borrow what you need rather than getting the full amount you’re borrowing in a lump sum. It also lets you tap into the money you have in your home without replacing your entire mortgage, like you’d do with a cash-out refinance.
Current HELOC rates are relatively low compared to other loan options, including credit cards and personal loans.
Source: businessinsider.com