Below 6% since November: Mortgage lenders with the best rates this week, Feb. 2, 2026

Core Insights - The mortgage lending landscape shows that four of the top ten lenders are offering rates just below 6%, indicating a slight decrease from the previous week [1] - The best mortgage rates are determined by a survey of 30-year fixed-rate conventional loans, with lenders ranked by their annual percentage rate (APR) [2] - Since mid-November, four leading lenders have consistently offered rates below 6%, while the national average remains above this threshold, highlighting the importance of comparing multiple lenders for potential savings [3] Lender Performance - Among the 16 lenders surveyed, Bank of America, Fifth Third Bank, PNC, Flagstar Bank, Rocket Mortgage, and Third Federal did not rank in the top ten based on APR, with a notable 1.189 percentage point difference between the top lender, Navy Federal, and the lowest, Third Federal [4] Rate Shopping Strategies - Borrowers can save an average of $44,000 over the life of a 30-year loan by shopping around for mortgage rates, emphasizing the need for thorough comparison [7] - The APR is highlighted as the most critical figure for borrowers, as it encompasses both the interest rate and lender fees, providing a clearer picture of annual borrowing costs [8] Discount Points and Offers - Lenders often provide mortgage discount points, which are prepaid interest fees that can lower the interest rate, but these points are optional and can be declined [10][11] - Special rate offers and fee discounts are becoming more common, with examples such as Citi Mortgage offering $500 off closing costs and Chase guaranteeing an on-time closing with a $5,000 compensation [12] Simplifying the Process - To streamline the mortgage rate shopping process, it is recommended that borrowers request quotes from multiple lenders without discount points and focus on the APR for accurate comparisons [13]