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Mortgage rates move down, matching three-year low
Yahoo Finance· 2026-01-28 20:00
Mortgage rates fell this week, with the 30-year fixed rate averaging 6.18%, down from 6.25% last week, according to Bankrate’s latest lender survey. Current mortgage rates Loan type Current 4 weeks ago One year ago 52-week average 52-week low 30-year 6.18% 6.30% 7.03% 6.60% 6.18% 15-year 5.56% 5.57% 6.26% 5.82% 5.49% 30-year jumbo 6.38% 6.49% 7.08% 6.67% 6.31% The 30-year fixed mortgages in this week’s survey had an average total of 0.35 discount and origi ...
Mortgage lenders with the best rates this week, Jan. 12-19, 2026
Yahoo Finance· 2025-11-03 17:08
Core Insights - Mortgage rates have decreased for many lenders, with six of the top ten home loan providers offering rates below 6% [1] - The best rates this week are led by Navy Federal and PedFed, both offering 30-year fixed-rate mortgages below 5.5% [3] - Competition among lenders is increasing, with Bank of America and Wells Fargo entering the top ten lowest rates, displacing Citizens Bank and Fifth Third Bank [3] Mortgage Rate Trends - The lowest offered mortgage rate has dipped below 5.5%, with Navy Federal leading the survey with a significant APR advantage over other lenders [3][4] - A notable 1.311 percentage point difference exists between the top lender and the bottom-ranked lender in the survey [4] Shopping for Mortgage Rates - Borrowers can save an average of $44,000 over the life of a 30-year loan by shopping around for the best mortgage rates [7] - The annual percentage rate (APR) is emphasized as the most important figure, as it includes both the interest rate and lender fees [8] Discount Points and Offers - Lenders often provide mortgage discount points to lower interest rates, which can be confusing for borrowers [9][10] - Special rate offers and fee discounts are becoming more common, with lenders like Chase Home Loans and Citi Mortgage promoting limited-time discounts [12] Simplifying the Process - To streamline the mortgage rate shopping process, borrowers are advised to request quotes with zero discount points and focus on APR for accurate comparisons [14]
Mortgage lenders with the best rates this week, Jan. 20-25, 2026
Yahoo Finance· 2025-11-03 17:08
Core Insights - The current mortgage lending landscape shows that five out of the top ten lenders are offering rates just below 6% as per the Yahoo Finance survey [1][3] - Navy Federal has maintained its position as the top lender for four consecutive weeks, with Chase Home Loans closely following as a strong competitor [3][4] - The survey indicates a 1.279 percentage point difference in APR between the top lender, Navy Federal, and the lowest-ranked lender, Rocket Mortgage [4] Mortgage Rates Overview - The survey conducted from January 20-25, 2026, highlights the best interest rates for 30-year fixed-rate conventional loans among the top ten lenders [2] - The lenders that did not make the top ten include PNC, Citizens Bank, Bank of America, Flagstar Bank, Third Federal, and Rocket Mortgage [3] Importance of APR - The annual percentage rate (APR) is emphasized 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][14] - Borrowers are advised to focus on APR rather than just the interest rate, which is often highlighted by lenders [8] Shopping for Mortgage Rates - It is recommended that borrowers shop around for mortgage rates, which can potentially save them an average of $44,000 over the life of a 30-year loan [7] - When comparing rates, borrowers should request quotes with zero discount points to facilitate an accurate side-by-side comparison of rates and fees [13] Special Offers and Discounts - Lenders are increasingly offering special discounts on interest rates and fees, with Chase Home Loans leading the way earlier this year [11] - Citi Mortgage is noted for continuing to offer $500 off closing costs as part of its promotional efforts [11] Discount Points - Discount points are described as prepaid interest that can lower the offered interest rate, but they are optional and can be declined by the borrower [9][10]
Rates tick lower: Mortgage lenders with the best rates this week, Nov. 24, 2025
Yahoo Finance· 2025-11-03 17:08
Core Insights - The top three mortgage lenders with the best rates are Citi Mortgage, Navy Federal Credit Union, and PenFed Credit Union, ranked by annual percentage rate (APR) [1][3] - Mortgage rates have decreased among most leading lenders, with the addition of three new lenders to the survey, bringing the total to 16 [3][4] - The difference in APR between the top lender and the bottom lender highlights the importance of comparing rates from multiple lenders [5] Lender Rankings - The latest survey shows Citi Mortgage at the top, followed by Navy Federal Credit Union and PenFed Credit Union [1][2] - New entrants Better Mortgage and Fifth Third Bank have made it into the top 10, displacing Wells Fargo and Bank of America [3][4] Membership and Loan Types - Navy Federal and PenFed are noted as dominant VA loan lenders, but the survey focuses on conventional loan rates [4] - PenFed allows membership to anyone, while Navy Federal is restricted to military personnel, veterans, and their families [4] Importance of APR - The APR is emphasized as the most important figure for borrowers, as it includes both the interest rate and lender fees [9] - Borrowers are advised to focus on APR rather than just the interest rate when comparing mortgage offers [9] Shopping for Rates - Shopping around for mortgage rates can potentially save borrowers up to $44,000 over the life of a 30-year loan [8] - It is recommended to obtain quotes from multiple lenders with zero discount points for a clearer comparison of rates and fees [13][14]
Mortgage lenders go head-to-head: See who has the best rates this week, Dec. 8, 2025
Yahoo Finance· 2025-11-03 17:08
Core Insights - The top three mortgage lenders with the best rates are Navy Federal Credit Union, Citi Mortgage, and PenFed Credit Union, with a slight change in ranking this week [1] - The consistency in rankings among the top lenders indicates a stable competitive landscape in the mortgage lending market [3] Lender Rankings - The top five lenders with the lowest mortgage rates include a mix of large national banks and credit unions, with Citi, Chase, Navy Federal, and PenFed consistently appearing [3] - Truist has moved into the fifth position, replacing Better this week [3] Rate Differences - There is a significant 1.185 percentage point difference in APR between the top lender, Navy Federal, and the lowest lender, Third Federal, highlighting the importance of comparing rates [4] Survey Details - A total of 16 lenders were surveyed, with several notable banks like Wells Fargo and Rocket Mortgage not making the top 10 based on APR [4] - Citizens Bank improved its position significantly, moving from near the bottom to the top 10 [4] Shopping for Rates - Borrowers can potentially save up to $44,000 over the life of a 30-year loan by shopping around for mortgage rates [7] - The trend of promotional rates is growing, with lenders like Chase Home Lending offering limited-time rate reductions [8] Importance of APR - The APR is emphasized as the most critical figure for borrowers, as it encompasses both the interest rate and lender fees, providing a clearer picture of borrowing costs [10] Discount Points - Lenders may offer discount points to lower interest rates, which are optional upfront fees that can reduce the interest rate by approximately 0.25% per point [11][12] - Borrowers can request quotes without discount points for a more straightforward comparison of rates and fees [13]
A 5.5% home loan: Mortgage lenders with the best rates this week, Dec. 29, 2025
Yahoo Finance· 2025-11-03 17:08
Core Insights - The top five mortgage lenders have reduced their rates to the sub-6% range, with Navy Federal leading at an offered interest rate of 5.5% and an APR of 5.614% [1][3] - A significant difference of 1.185 percentage points exists between the top lender, Navy Federal, and the lowest-ranked lender, Third Federal [4] Mortgage Rates Overview - The survey conducted by Yahoo Finance indicates that the lowest offered mortgage rate is now at 5.5%, marking a notable shift in the mortgage rate landscape [3] - The survey included 16 lenders, with notable exclusions from the top 10 being Wells Fargo, Bank of America, PNC, Fifth Third Bank, Rocket Mortgage, and Third Federal [3] Importance of APR - The annual percentage rate (APR) is emphasized 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] - Borrowers are advised to focus on APR rather than just the offered interest rate, which lenders often highlight [8] Shopping for Mortgage Rates - Shopping around for mortgage rates can lead to significant savings, potentially up to $44,000 over the life of a 30-year loan [7] - It is recommended that borrowers request quotes from multiple lenders without discount points to facilitate accurate comparisons of rates and fees [14] Discount Points and Special Offers - Discount points can be used to lower interest rates, with each point representing 1% of the loan amount and typically reducing the interest rate by about 0.25% [10] - Lenders are increasingly offering special discounts on interest rates and fees, with examples such as Citi Mortgage providing $500 off closing costs [12]
5.5% and below: Mortgage lenders with the best rates this week, Jan. 12, 2026
Yahoo Finance· 2025-11-03 17:08
Core Insights - Mortgage rates have decreased for many lenders, with six of the top ten home loan providers offering rates below 6% [1] - The best rates this week are led by Navy Federal and PedFed, both offering 30-year fixed-rate mortgages below 5.5% [3] - Competition among lenders is increasing, with Bank of America and Wells Fargo entering the top ten lowest rates, displacing Citizens Bank and Fifth Third Bank [3] Mortgage Rate Trends - The top lender, Navy Federal, has an APR that is 1.311 percentage points lower than the bottom-ranked lender, Third Federal [4] - A total of 16 lenders were surveyed, with several notable lenders not making the top ten based on APR [4] Shopping for Mortgage Rates - Borrowers can save an average of $44,000 over the life of a 30-year loan by shopping around for the best mortgage rates [7] - The APR is emphasized as the most important figure, as it includes both the interest rate and lender fees, providing a clearer picture of borrowing costs [8] Discount Points and Offers - Discount points can be used to lower interest rates, where one point typically costs 1% of the loan amount and reduces the interest rate by about 0.25% [10] - Lenders are increasingly offering special discounts on interest rates and fees, with examples including Citi Mortgage's $500 off closing costs [12] Simplifying the Process - When comparing rates, it is recommended to request quotes with zero discount points from multiple lenders and focus on the APR for accurate comparisons [14]
Mortgage lenders with the best rates this week, Dec. 29-Jan. 4
Yahoo Finance· 2025-11-03 17:08
Core Insights - The top five mortgage lenders have slightly lowered their rates, now offering rates in the sub-6% range, as per a Yahoo Finance survey [1][3] - Navy Federal leads the survey with an offered interest rate of 5.5%, with an APR of 5.614% after accounting for a 0.250 discount point [3][4] - The difference in APR between the top lender and the lowest-ranked lender is 1.185 percentage points [4] Mortgage Rate Trends - The lowest offered mortgage rate has decreased to 5.5%, marking a significant change in the mortgage rate landscape over the past few years [3] - A total of 16 lenders were surveyed, with notable lenders like Wells Fargo and Bank of America not making the top 10 based on APR [3] Importance of APR - The APR is emphasized as the most critical figure for borrowers, as it includes both the interest rate and lender fees, providing a more accurate measure of annual borrowing costs [8] - Borrowers are advised to focus on APR rather than just the offered interest rate, which lenders often highlight [8] Shopping for Mortgage Rates - Shopping around for mortgage rates can save borrowers an average of $44,000 over the life of a 30-year loan [7] - It is recommended that borrowers request quotes from multiple lenders without discount points to facilitate accurate comparisons [14] Special Offers and Discounts - Lenders are increasingly offering special discounts on interest rates and fees, with examples like Citi Mortgage providing $500 off closing costs [12] - Borrowers are encouraged to inquire about any available concessions if a lender is not currently promoting discounts [13]
After the Fed rate cut: Mortgage lenders with the lowest rates this week, Nov. 3, 2025
Yahoo Finance· 2025-11-03 17:08
Core Insights - The Federal Reserve's recent rate cut may influence mortgage rates, but it does not guarantee immediate reductions in mortgage rates for borrowers [2][3] - Mortgage lenders are adjusting their rates in response to the Fed's actions, with some lenders like Rocket Mortgage lowering their rates following the Fed's cut [3] - The best mortgage rates this week are offered by PenFed Credit Union, Chase Home Lending, and U.S. Bank, as per a survey conducted by Yahoo Finance [1][4] Mortgage Rate Shopping - Shopping around is essential for borrowers to secure the lowest mortgage rates, as highlighted by research from Realtor.com [7] - The annual percentage rate (APR) is the most critical figure for borrowers, as it encompasses both the interest rate and lender fees, providing a clearer picture of borrowing costs [8] - Borrowers should request quotes from multiple lenders without discount points to facilitate accurate comparisons of rates and fees [12] Discount Points - Discount points are upfront fees that borrowers can pay to lower their interest rates, with one point typically costing 1% of the loan amount and reducing the rate by about 0.25% [10] - Some lenders, like Truist, offer negative points or lender credits, which can help cover closing costs instead of increasing the loan cost [11]
Mortgage lenders with the best rates this week, January 5, 2026
Yahoo Finance· 2025-11-03 17:08
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] - Navy Federal leads the survey with an offered interest rate of 5.5% and an APR of 5.614%, unchanged from the previous week [3][4] - A significant difference of 1.185 percentage points exists between the top lender, Navy Federal, and the lowest-ranked lender, Third Federal [4] Mortgage Rates Overview - The best mortgage rates for 30-year fixed-rate conventional loans were surveyed, with Navy Federal offering the lowest rate [2][3] - Other major lenders like Wells Fargo, Bank of America, PNC, Flagstar Bank, Rocket Mortgage, and Third Federal did not make the top 10 based on APR [3] Importance of APR - The APR is emphasized as the most important measure of annual borrowing costs, as it includes both the interest rate and lender fees [8] - Borrowers are advised to focus on APR rather than just the offered interest rate, which lenders often highlight [8] Shopping for Mortgage Rates - Shopping around for mortgage rates can save borrowers an average of $44,000 over the life of a 30-year loan [7] - It is recommended to obtain quotes from multiple lenders with zero discount points for accurate comparisons [13] Discount Points and Special Offers - Discount points can lower the offered interest rate but are optional and represent prepaid interest [9][10] - Lenders are increasingly offering special discounts on interest rates and fees, with examples like Citi Mortgage providing $500 off closing costs [11]