Mortgage and refinance interest rates today, December 25, 2025: Mortgage rates drifting

Mortgage Rates Overview - The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate has decreased by three basis points to 6.18%, while the 15-year fixed rate has increased by three basis points to 5.50% [1] - Freddie Mac's chief economist, Sam Khater, noted that declining rates are beneficial for potential homebuyers [1] Current Mortgage Rates - Current mortgage rates include: - 30-year fixed: 6.10% - 20-year fixed: 6.00% - 15-year fixed: 5.52% - 5/1 ARM: 6.26% - 7/1 ARM: 6.26% - 30-year VA: 5.62% - 15-year VA: 5.31% - 5/1 VA: 5.25% [5] - Another set of current rates shows: - 30-year fixed: 6.25% - 20-year fixed: 5.92% - 15-year fixed: 5.69% - 5/1 ARM: 6.44% - 7/1 ARM: 6.43% - 30-year VA: 5.55% - 15-year VA: 5.37% - 5/1 VA: 5.50% [6] Mortgage Rate Types - Mortgage rates can be categorized into fixed and adjustable rates. Fixed-rate mortgages maintain the same interest rate throughout the loan term, while adjustable-rate mortgages change after an initial fixed period [8] - The structure of payments changes over time, with initial payments primarily covering interest and gradually shifting towards the principal [9] Factors Influencing Mortgage Rates - Mortgage rates are influenced by controllable factors such as credit scores, debt-to-income ratios, and down payments, as well as uncontrollable economic factors like employment rates [10][11] - Generally, refinance rates are slightly higher than purchase rates, reflecting market conditions [12] Popular Mortgage Terms - The 30-year fixed mortgage is favored for its lower monthly payments but results in higher total interest paid over time [13] - The 15-year fixed mortgage offers lower rates and less interest paid overall, but comes with higher monthly payments [14] Market Insights - Banks like Chase and Citibank are noted for offering some of the lowest median mortgage rates, emphasizing the importance of comparing options across various lenders [15] - Historical context shows that the lowest-ever 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 2.65% in January 2021, with current rates unlikely to drop below 3% soon [17]