Key Takeaways ARM applications reached 12.9% of total mortgage applications in September—the highest since 2008—though the share has since declined to around 6%-8% as fixed rates have eased. Adjustable-rate mortgages contributed significantly to the 2008 housing crisis, as many borrowers with poor credit struggled to make payments when their rates increased. High mortgage rates have been overwhelming homebuyers for the past three years, and some are turning to a mortgage option that helped fuel the ...

Younger Americans may find it increasingly difficult to afford a home, but Newrez, a national wholesale mortgage lender, thinks Bitcoin and Ethereum could change that. The firm—which serviced a $778.3 billion portfolio of 3.7 million loans, as of last year—recently signaled that it would begin assessing both cryptocurrencies for mortgage qualification. Last week, it billed itself as the first major provider of mortgages in the U.S. to do so. That means the company intends to view Bitcoin and Ethereum as re ...

In 2026, mortgage rates have started much lower than they did at the beginning of 2025. According to Zillow, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 5.90% — 82 basis points lower than this time last year. The 15-year fixed rate has decreased by 63 basis points and is now 5.36%. A Yahoo Finance weekly survey of lenders with the best mortgage rates revealed three top-five-ranked lenders with loan rates at or below 5.50%. Today's mortgage rates Here are the current mortgage rates, according to our lat ...

Core Insights - Mortgage rates in 2026 have started lower than in 2025, with the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate at 5.90%, which is 82 basis points lower than the previous year [1] - The 15-year fixed mortgage rate has decreased to 5.36%, down 63 basis points from last year [1] - A survey by Yahoo Finance indicates that some lenders are offering rates at or below 5.50% [1] Current Mortgage Rates - The current national average for various mortgage types includes: - 30-year fixed: 5.90% - 20-year fixed: 5.84% - 15-year fixed: 5.36% - 5/1 ARM: 6.11% - 7/1 ARM: 6.28% - 30-year VA: 5.48% - 15-year VA: 5.07% - 5/1 VA: 5.17% [5] Refinance Rates - Current refinance rates are generally higher than purchase rates, with the 30-year fixed refinance rate at 6.01% [13] Mortgage Comparison - A $400,000 mortgage with a 30-year term at 5.90% results in a monthly payment of approximately $2,373, leading to total interest payments of $454,117 over the term [8] - Conversely, a 15-year mortgage at 5.36% would require a monthly payment of about $3,239, resulting in total interest payments of $182,965 [8] Adjustable vs. Fixed Rates - Fixed-rate mortgages lock in the interest rate from the start, while adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) have a fixed rate for an initial period before adjusting based on market conditions [10][11] - ARMs may start with lower rates compared to fixed rates, but there is a risk of rate increases after the initial period [12] Future Rate Predictions - The MBA forecasts that the 30-year mortgage rate will be around 6.4% through 2026, while Fannie Mae predicts a dip to 5.9% in Q4 2026 [14] - For 2027, the MBA expects rates to average 6.3%, with Fannie Mae estimating rates near 5.9% for the entire year [15]

Core Viewpoint - UWM Holdings is positioned for a potential recovery due to macroeconomic changes and a pending merger, despite past declines in performance and share price [1][2]. Macroeconomic Factors - The housing market is showing signs of recovery, with mortgage rates at a three-year low, which could enhance UWM's operating performance [3]. - A potential repurchase of $200 billion in mortgage bonds by representatives of President Trump could further influence mortgage rates positively [4]. Company-Specific Catalysts - UWM is undergoing a significant shift towards AI and automation, which could result in cost savings exceeding $100 million [8]. - The planned acquisition of Two Harbors Investment could yield annual growth synergies of up to $150 million [9]. Stock Performance and Valuation - UWM Holdings has seen a nearly 40% increase in stock price since the beginning of the year, currently trading at approximately 13.5 times forward earnings, indicating it is fairly priced compared to other mortgage-focused financial stocks [10]. - Upcoming Q4 2025 earnings report could further elevate expectations and stock price, especially if strong results and promising guidance are provided [11].

Core Insights - Housing affordability is a significant issue in the U.S. economy, prompting President Trump to propose "aggressive" reforms for the housing market [1] - The upcoming speech at the World Economic Forum will outline these housing market ideas, which may impact mortgages and home buying for Americans [1][7] Group 1: Proposed Reforms - A proposal will allow Americans to use 401(k) retirement funds for home purchases, expanding current rules that only permit penalty-free withdrawals from IRAs [3] - Trump plans to ban large institutional investors from buying single-family homes to increase housing inventory, emphasizing that homes are for people, not corporations [5] - The government intends to purchase $200 billion in mortgage bonds to lower interest rates, which has already resulted in a 15 basis point drop in mortgage rates [6] Group 2: Market Impact - The typical monthly payment for homebuyers has doubled, with down payments increasing from approximately $15,000 to $32,000, indicating a significant affordability gap [4] - Analysts predict that these reforms could improve housing market sentiment and affordability ahead of the spring homebuying season, potentially increasing home sales [7] Group 3: Additional Ideas - Consideration of a 50-year mortgage could lower monthly payments but increase overall borrowing costs [8] - A "portable mortgage" concept is being discussed, allowing borrowers to transfer their mortgage to a new home, which could address the "lock-in" effect for homeowners [9][10] - However, some experts argue that portability may not align with U.S. mortgage finance structures and may not resolve broader affordability issues [11]

Core Insights - Mortgage rates are decreasing, with the average 30-year fixed rate dropping by 83 basis points to 5.90% and the 15-year fixed rate falling by 59 basis points to 5.36% over the last six months, indicating a favorable time for home buying or refinancing [1] Current Mortgage Rates - The current national average mortgage rates are as follows: 30-year fixed at 5.90%, 15-year fixed at 5.36%, and 5/1 ARM at 6.11% [5][18] - The 30-year fixed mortgage is the most popular due to lower monthly payments, while the 15-year fixed offers a lower interest rate but higher monthly payments [8][9] Refinance Rates - Today's mortgage refinance rates are generally higher than purchase rates, although this is not always the case [3] - The average refinance rates are not explicitly stated but are implied to follow similar trends as purchase rates [3] Adjustable Mortgage Rates - Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) typically start with lower rates than fixed rates but carry the risk of future rate increases after the initial lock period [11][12] - Recent trends show that ARM rates can sometimes be similar to or higher than fixed rates, necessitating careful comparison among lenders [13] Factors Influencing Mortgage Rates - Lenders offer the lowest rates to borrowers with higher down payments, excellent credit scores, and low debt-to-income ratios [14] - Options for reducing interest rates include paying for discount points at closing or utilizing temporary buydowns [15][16] Future Rate Predictions - The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) forecasts that the 30-year mortgage rate will remain near 6.4% through 2026, while Fannie Mae predicts rates above 6% next year, potentially dipping to 5.9% in Q4 2026 [20]

Current mortgage rates are under 6%. According to Zillow, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate has decreased by 19 basis points over the last month and is now 5.90%. The 15-year fixed rate has dropped by 16 basis points in this time, now sitting at 5.36%. To take advantage of today's low mortgage rates, shop with several mortgage lenders to find the best deal. Current mortgage rates Here are the current mortgage rates, according to the latest Zillow data: 30-year fixed: 5.90% 20-year fixed: 5.84% ...

Newrez, a leading mortgage lender and servicer, announced plans to begin recognizing cryptocurrency assets for mortgage qualification in February 2026. This marks a significant integration of digital finance into the traditional housing market. Newrez Targets Gen Z with Crypto-Inclusive Mortgage Products The initiative will allow borrowers to use holdings in Bitcoin, Ethereum, USD-pegged stablecoins, and spot crypto exchange-traded funds to verify assets. Those holdings may also be used to estimate incom ...

Core Insights - The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is currently at 5.90%, remaining under 6% for a week, indicating a potential opportunity for buyers and those looking to refinance [1][18] - Mortgage rates have been gradually decreasing since the end of May, with the 30-year fixed rate previously peaking over 7% in January [20] - Predictions suggest that mortgage rates may not drop significantly in the near future, with expectations of rates around 6.4% through 2026 [19] Current Mortgage Rates - Current national average mortgage rates include: - 30-year fixed: 5.90% - 20-year fixed: 5.84% - 15-year fixed: 5.36% - 5/1 ARM: 6.11% - 7/1 ARM: 6.28% - 30-year VA: 5.48% - 15-year VA: 5.07% - 5/1 VA: 5.17% [5] Refinance Rates - Today's mortgage refinance rates are generally higher than purchase rates, but specific current rates were not detailed in the provided content [3] Market Conditions - The current housing market is more favorable for buyers compared to the previous years, with home prices stabilizing and not spiking as they did during the COVID-19 pandemic [16] - The best time to buy a house is subjective and should align with individual circumstances rather than attempting to time the market [17] Future Rate Expectations - The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) forecasts the 30-year mortgage rate to remain near 6.4% through 2026, while Fannie Mae predicts a slight dip to 5.9% in Q4 2026 [19]