Mortgage lenders with the best rates this week, March 23, 2026: Sub-6% rates gone for now

Core Insights - Sub-6% APR mortgages are currently unavailable, with rising bond market yields contributing to higher mortgage rates [1][3] - The latest survey indicates that none of the 16 national lenders offered APRs in the 5% range, marking a significant increase from three weeks ago when rates were at three-year lows [3][5] Mortgage Rate Trends - The bond market yields have risen since the onset of the Iran war, leading to an increase in mortgage rates [3] - Lenders are incorporating more discount points to help lower their rates in the current rising rate environment [4] Lender Performance - Among the surveyed lenders, U.S. Bank had the lowest APR, while Rocket Mortgage ranked at the bottom, with a difference of 1.026 percentage points between them [5] - Major lenders such as Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Third Federal, PNC, and Rocket Mortgage did not make the top 10 based on APR [5] Shopping for Mortgages - Borrowers are encouraged to compare the APR, which includes both interest rates and lender fees, to get a clearer picture of borrowing costs [7] - Shopping around for mortgage rates can potentially save borrowers an average of $44,000 over the life of a 30-year loan [6] Discount Points - Discount points are an option for borrowers to lower their interest rates, where one point equals 1% of the loan amount and typically reduces the interest rate by about 0.25% [10] - Borrowers can opt out of discount points when receiving a Loan Estimate, which will result in a higher interest rate [10] Special Offers and Negotiation - Lenders are increasingly offering special discounts on interest rates and fees, reflecting heightened competition in the housing market [11] - Borrowers are advised to inquire about any available concessions if a lender is not currently promoting discounts [12] Simplifying the Process - When comparing rates from multiple lenders, it is recommended to request quotes with zero discount points and focus on the APR for an accurate comparison [13]