Mortgage lenders with the best rates this week, Jan. 5-11, 2026

Core Insights - The top five mortgage lenders have seen little change in rates, remaining mostly in the sub-6% range, with any modifications being incrementally higher [1] Mortgage Rates Overview - The best mortgage rates for the week of January 5-11, 2026, are based on a survey of 30-year, fixed-rate conventional loans, ranked by annual percentage rate (APR) [2] - Navy Federal offers the lowest rate at 5.5%, with an APR of 5.614%, unchanged from the previous week [3] - There is a 1.185 percentage point difference between the top lender, Navy Federal, and the lowest-ranked lender, Third Federal [4] Rate Calculation and Considerations - Sample mortgage rates are based on generic assumptions, including credit scores and down payments, which can vary by location [5][6] - Shopping around for mortgage rates can save borrowers an average of $44,000 over the life of a 30-year loan [7] Importance of APR - The APR is a crucial figure as it includes both the interest rate and lender fees, providing a more accurate measure of annual borrowing costs [8] Discount Points - Lenders may offer mortgage discount points to lower interest rates, which are optional and represent prepaid interest [9][10] Special Offers and Discounts - Lenders are increasingly offering special discounts on interest rates and fees, with examples including Citi Mortgage's $500 off closing costs [11] - Borrowers are encouraged to inquire about any available concessions when shopping with multiple lenders [12] Simplifying the Shopping Process - When comparing rates, borrowers should request quotes with zero discount points and focus on APR for accurate comparisons [13] Methodology for Rate Determination - The methodology for determining the lowest mortgage rates is based on sorting by APR, which includes interest rates and lender fees [14]