Mortgage and refinance interest rates today, March 21, 2026: Jumping to a six-month high

Core Insights - Mortgage rates have reached a nearly six-month high, with the current 30-year fixed rate at 6.31%, an increase of 13 basis points from the previous Friday, marking the highest level since late September [1] - The 15-year fixed rate has also increased by three basis points to 5.77% [1] Current Mortgage Rates - The national average mortgage rates are as follows: - 30-year fixed: 6.31% - 20-year fixed: 6.29% - 15-year fixed: 5.77% - 5/1 ARM: 6.36% - 7/1 ARM: 6.34% - 30-year VA: 5.85% - 15-year VA: 5.47% - 5/1 VA: 5.39% [4] Refinance Rates - Current mortgage refinance rates are generally higher than purchase rates, although this is not always the case [3] Market Conditions - Compared to a couple of years ago, the current housing market is more favorable for buyers, as home prices are not experiencing the rapid increases seen during the COVID-19 pandemic [15] - Mortgage rates have decreased since the same time last year, making it a potentially good time to buy a house [15] Rate Variability - The national average 30-year mortgage rate reported by Zillow is 6.31%, which may differ from other sources like Freddie Mac due to different data collection methods [17] - Mortgage rates can vary significantly based on state, ZIP code, lender, loan type, and other factors, emphasizing the importance of shopping around [17] Future Rate Predictions - Forecasts from the MBA suggest that the 30-year mortgage rate will remain near 6.10% through 2026, while Fannie Mae predicts a rate close to 6% by the end of the year [18]