Mortgage rates continue to rise. According to Zillow, the national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate has increased six basis points to 6.78%and the current 15-year fixed interest rate has risen three basis points to 6.07%.
The economic outlook for the first quarter of 2025 doesn’t make it look like mortgage rates will fall anytime soon. So what can you do to get the lowest interest rate possible in a high rate environment? First, look for ways to improve your finances: improve your credit score, pay off debt, and save more for a down payment. Second, compare prices with several mortgage lenders. Find one that offers the type of home loan you want, good rates, and low fees.
Go deeper: 5 strategies to get the lowest mortgage rate
Here are the current mortgage rates, according to the latest data from Zillow:
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Fixed for 30 years: 6.78%
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Fixed for 20 years: 6.55%
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Fixed for 15 years: 6.07%
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ARM 5/1: 7.16%
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ARM 7/1: 7.08%
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VA 30 years: 6.20%
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VA of 15 years: 5.68%
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5/1VA: 6.36%
Remember, these are national averages and are rounded to the nearest hundredth.
Here are the current mortgage refinance rates, according to the latest data from Zillow:
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Fixed for 30 years: 6.84%
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Fixed for 20 years: 6.66%
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Fixed for 15 years: 6.15%
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ARM 5/1: 7.50%
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ARM 7/1: 7.44%
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VA 30 years: 6.13%
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VA of 15 years: 5.86%
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5/1VA: 6.05%
Again, the figures provided are national averages rounded to the nearest hundredth. Mortgage refinancing rates are typically higher than rates when purchasing a home, although this is not always the case.
Read more: Is now a good time to refinance your mortgage?
Use Yahoo Finance’s free mortgage calculator to see how different mortgage terms and interest rates will affect your monthly payments.
Our calculator also considers factors such as property taxes and homeowner’s insurance when determining your estimated monthly mortgage payment. This gives you a more realistic idea of your total monthly payment than if you just looked at the principal and interest on the mortgage.
The average 30-year mortgage rate today is 6.78%. A 30-year term is the most popular type of mortgage because, by spreading your payments over 360 months, your monthly payment is less than with a shorter-term loan.
The average 15-year mortgage rate today is 6.07%. When deciding between a 15- and 30-year mortgage, consider your short-term versus long-term goals.
A 15-year mortgage has a lower interest rate than a 30-year mortgage. This is great in the long run because you’ll pay off your loan 15 years sooner, and that means 15 fewer years for interest to accrue. But the downside is that your monthly payment will be higher since you will pay the same amount in half the time.
Let’s say you take out a $300,000 mortgage. With a 30-year term and a rate of 6.78%, your monthly principal and interest payment would be approximately $1,952and you would pay $402,641 in interest over the life of your loan, on top of the original $300,000.
If you take out the same $300,000 mortgage but with a 15-year term and a rate of 6.07%, your monthly payment would increase to $2,543. But you would only pay $157,727 in interest over the years.
With a fixed-rate mortgage, your rate is fixed for the entire life of your loan. However, you’ll get a new rate if you refinance your mortgage.
An adjustable rate mortgage keeps your rate the same for a predetermined period of time. Your rate will then go up or down depending on several factors, such as the economy and the maximum amount your rate can change under your contract. For example, with a 7/1 ARM, your rate would be fixed for the first seven years and then change each year for the remaining 23 years of your term.
Adjustable rates generally start lower than fixed rates, but once the initial rate lock period ends, your rate may go up. However, lately some fixed rates have started to be lower than adjustable rates. Talk to your lender about their rates before choosing one over the other.
Go deeper: Fixed Rate Mortgages Versus Adjustable Rate Mortgages
Mortgage lenders typically offer the lowest mortgage rates to people with higher down payments, excellent or excellent credit scores, and low debt-to-income ratios. So if you want a lower rate, try saving more, improving your credit score, or paying off some debt before you start shopping for a home.
Waiting for rates to drop probably isn’t the best method to get the lowest mortgage rate right now, unless you’re really in no hurry and don’t mind waiting until the end of 2025. If you’re ready to buy, focus on your finances personal. It’s probably the best way to reduce your rate.
To find the best mortgage lender for your situation, apply for mortgage pre-approval with three or four companies. Just make sure you apply to all of them in a short period of time; Doing so will give you the most accurate comparisons and will have the least impact on your credit score.
When choosing a lender, don’t just compare interest rates. Look at the annual percentage rate (APR) of the mortgage; This takes into account the interest rate, discount points and fees. The APR, which is also expressed as a percentage, reflects the true annual cost of borrowing money. This is probably the most important number to consider when comparing mortgage lenders.
According to Zillow, the national average 30-year mortgage rate is 6.78% and the average 15-year mortgage rate is 6.07%. But these are national averages, so the average in your area could be different. Averages tend to be higher in expensive areas of the US and lower in less expensive areas.
The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 6.78% right now, according to Zillow. However, you may be able to get an even better rate with an excellent credit score, a large down payment, and a low debt-to-income (DTI) ratio.
Mortgage rates are not expected to drop dramatically in the near future, although they may inch lower here and there.