Mortgage and refinance interest rates today, January 17, 2026: Rates hold under 6%

Core Insights - The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is currently at 5.90%, remaining under 6% for a week, indicating a potential opportunity for buyers and those looking to refinance [1][18] - Mortgage rates have been gradually decreasing since the end of May, with the 30-year fixed rate previously peaking over 7% in January [20] - Predictions suggest that mortgage rates may not drop significantly in the near future, with expectations of rates around 6.4% through 2026 [19] Current Mortgage Rates - Current national average mortgage rates include: - 30-year fixed: 5.90% - 20-year fixed: 5.84% - 15-year fixed: 5.36% - 5/1 ARM: 6.11% - 7/1 ARM: 6.28% - 30-year VA: 5.48% - 15-year VA: 5.07% - 5/1 VA: 5.17% [5] Refinance Rates - Today's mortgage refinance rates are generally higher than purchase rates, but specific current rates were not detailed in the provided content [3] Market Conditions - The current housing market is more favorable for buyers compared to the previous years, with home prices stabilizing and not spiking as they did during the COVID-19 pandemic [16] - The best time to buy a house is subjective and should align with individual circumstances rather than attempting to time the market [17] Future Rate Expectations - The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) forecasts the 30-year mortgage rate to remain near 6.4% through 2026, while Fannie Mae predicts a slight dip to 5.9% in Q4 2026 [19]