Mortgage Rates Overview - The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate has decreased by three basis points to 6.18%, while the 15-year fixed rate has increased by three basis points to 5.50% [1] - Freddie Mac's chief economist, Sam Khater, noted that declining rates are beneficial for potential homebuyers [1] Current Mortgage Rates - Current mortgage rates include: - 30-year fixed: 6.10% - 20-year fixed: 6.00% - 15-year fixed: 5.52% - 5/1 ARM: 6.26% - 7/1 ARM: 6.26% - 30-year VA: 5.62% - 15-year VA: 5.31% - 5/1 VA: 5.25% [5] - Another set of current rates shows: - 30-year fixed: 6.25% - 20-year fixed: 5.92% - 15-year fixed: 5.69% - 5/1 ARM: 6.44% - 7/1 ARM: 6.43% - 30-year VA: 5.55% - 15-year VA: 5.37% - 5/1 VA: 5.50% [6] Mortgage Rate Types - Mortgage rates can be categorized into fixed and adjustable rates. Fixed-rate mortgages maintain the same interest rate throughout the loan term, while adjustable-rate mortgages change after an initial fixed period [8] - The structure of payments changes over time, with initial payments primarily covering interest and gradually shifting towards the principal [9] Factors Influencing Mortgage Rates - Mortgage rates are influenced by controllable factors such as credit scores, debt-to-income ratios, and down payments, as well as uncontrollable economic factors like employment rates [10][11] - Generally, refinance rates are slightly higher than purchase rates, reflecting market conditions [12] Popular Mortgage Terms - The 30-year fixed mortgage is favored for its lower monthly payments but results in higher total interest paid over time [13] - The 15-year fixed mortgage offers lower rates and less interest paid overall, but comes with higher monthly payments [14] Market Insights - Banks like Chase and Citibank are noted for offering some of the lowest median mortgage rates, emphasizing the importance of comparing options across various lenders [15] - Historical context shows that the lowest-ever 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 2.65% in January 2021, with current rates unlikely to drop below 3% soon [17]

Mortgage rates fell again this week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Wednesday. Freddie Mac's latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey, released Wednesday, showed the average rate on the benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage decreased to 6.18% from last week's reading of 6.21%. The average rate on a 30-year loan was 6.85% a year ago. THESE 10 MARKETS MAY SEE THE BIGGEST HOMEBUYING SURGE AS MORTGAGE RATES FALL "The modest decline reflects a bond market that moved throughout the week – albeit within a tight range – f ...

Mortgage rates inched lower in the last week as markets digested new data giving mixed signals about the health of the economy. The average 30-year mortgage rate was 6.18% through Wednesday, from 6.21% a week earlier, according to Freddie Mac data. The average 15-year mortgage rate rose slightly, to 5.5% from 5.47%. ​​“Declining rates offer a timely and welcome gift for aspiring homebuyers,” Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist, said in a statement. Read more: How to get the lowest mortgage rates ...

Mortgage Rates Overview - The average rate on a 30-year U.S. mortgage decreased to 6.18% from 6.21% last week, down from 6.85% a year ago [1][2] - The average rate on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages increased to 5.50% from 5.47% last week, compared to 6% a year ago [2] Influencing Factors - Mortgage rates are influenced by the Federal Reserve's interest rate policy, bond market expectations for the economy and inflation, and generally follow the 10-year Treasury yield [2][4] - The 10-year Treasury yield rose to 4.15% from 4.12% last week [3] Market Trends - The average 30-year mortgage rate has remained steady since dropping to 6.17% on October 30, its lowest level in over a year [3] - Home listings have significantly increased from last year, with many sellers lowering their asking prices due to longer selling times [5] Buyer Challenges - Affordability remains a significant challenge for many potential homeowners, particularly first-time buyers without existing home equity [6] - Economic uncertainty and job market conditions are causing many potential buyers to hesitate [6] Sales Performance - Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes rose in November compared to the previous month but slowed year-over-year for the first time since May, with home sales down 0.5% for the first 11 months of the year compared to last year [7] - Economists predict that the average rate on a 30-year mortgage will remain slightly above 6% next year [7]

Primary Mortgage Market Survey® U.S. weekly average mortgage rates as of 12/24/2025 MCLEAN, Va., Dec. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), showing the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.18%. “The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage decreased further this week,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “Declining rates offer a timely and welcome gift for aspiring homebuyers.” News Facts The 30-y ...

Core Insights - Current average mortgage rates show a slight decrease, with the 30-year fixed rate at 6.11% and the 15-year fixed rate at 5.50% [1][15] - The mortgage market is experiencing calm rates, allowing borrowers to compare offers from multiple lenders [1] Mortgage Rates Overview - The national average mortgage rates are as follows: - 30-year fixed: 6.11% - 20-year fixed: 6.03% - 15-year fixed: 5.50% - 5/1 ARM: 6.19% - 7/1 ARM: 6.35% - 30-year VA: 5.56% - 15-year VA: 5.31% - 5/1 VA: 5.44% [4] Refinance Rates - Current mortgage refinance rates are generally higher than purchase rates, but specific rates are not detailed in the provided data [3] Adjustable-Rate Mortgages (ARMs) - ARMs offer lower initial rates compared to fixed-rate mortgages, but they come with the risk of rate increases after the introductory period [12][13] - The 5/1 ARM locks in the rate for the first five years, after which it adjusts annually [12] Economic Outlook - Economists predict that significant drops in mortgage rates are unlikely before the end of 2026, despite recent cuts to the federal funds rate [17] - Mortgage rates have been stable, with a slight overall decrease observed in recent months, remaining about half a point lower than a year ago [18]

Mortgage rates were unchanged this week, with the 30-year fixed rate again averaging 6.30%, 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 6.30% 6.32% 6.94% 6.68% 6.25% 15-year 5.57% 5.57% 6.16% 5.89% 5.50% 30-year jumbo 6.49% 6.47% 6.94% 6.73% 6.31% The 30-year fixed mortgages in this week’s survey had an average total of 0.34 discount and origination poin ...

Rates are drifting lower, not falling fast. And most housing economists now agree that a dramatic drop in mortgage rates in 2026 is unlikely. That does not mean buyers are locked out of the market. It means expectations need to be reset.Mortgage rates today show little movement for both purchases and refinances, based on national averages from Zillow. The 30-year fixed rate is 6.04%, while the 20-year fixed is 5.89%. Borrowers choosing shorter terms continue to see lower rates, with the 15-year fixed at 5. ...

I'm here with my good friend Caleb Silver and he's the editor-inchief at Investopedia, the chief business editor with People, Inc. Investopedia recently came out with a list of the most searched words of the year. Top word this year, affordability. >> All right, no surprise there.So, it's time to visit our hypothetical friend, Betty, who is a working mother of a high schooler named Bobby. All right, let's start with housing cost. This is a big deal.Betty's rent on their two-bedroom unit actually fell 1.7% f ...

Sales of previously occupied US homes rose in November from October levels, but slowed compared to a year earlier for the first time since May, despite average long-term mortgage rates holding near their low point for the year.Existing home sales rose 0.5 per cent last month from October to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.13 million units, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) said Friday. Sales fell 1 per cent compared with November last year. The latest sales figure came in slightly below the ...