National mortgage rates were mostly lower compared to a week ago, according to data compiled by Bankrate. Rates for 30-year fixed, 15-year fixed and jumbo loans moved lower, while rates for adjustable rate mortgages rose.
The Federal Reserve has lifted rates 10 times in a row, most recently at its May 3 meeting. Rates now are at a 15-year high, but the consensus is that inflation is finally cooling and the central bank might halt raising rates.
”Mortgage rates have settled into a new normal of around 6.5 percent on a 30-year fixed-rate loan,” says Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist at Bright MLS, a large multiple listing service in the Middle Atlantic region. ”With growing recession risks, we could see mortgage rates dip lower, but we will not be returning to the 3 percent level seen during the height of the pandemic.”
Rates last updated on June 7, 2023.
The rates listed above are marketplace averages based on the assumptions indicated here. Actual rates listed across the site may vary. This story has been reviewed by Suzanne De Vita. All rate data accurate as of Wednesday, June 7th, 2023 at 7:30 a.m.
>>Check out historical mortgage interest rate trends, from the 70s to today
You can save thousands of dollars over the life of your mortgage by getting at least three rate quotes. Comparing mortgage offers from multiple lenders is always a smart move, but shopping around grew especially critical during the interest rate run-up of 2022, according to research by mortgage giant Freddie Mac. It found the payoff for bargain-huntng borrowers doubled last year.
“All too often, some homeowners take the path of least resistance when seeking a mortgage, in part because the process of buying a home can be stressful, complicated and time-consuming,” says Mark Hamrick, senior economic analyst for Bankrate. “But when we’re talking about the potential of saving a lot of money, seeking the best deal on a mortgage has an excellent return on investment. Why leave that money on the table when all it takes is a bit more effort to shop around for the best rate, or lowest cost, on a mortgage?”
Mortgage rates for home purchase
30-year mortgage rate dips, -0.11%
The average 30-year fixed-mortgage rate is 7.02 percent, down 11 basis points since the same time last week. A month ago, the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage was lower, at 6.89 percent.
At the current average rate, you’ll pay $666.65 per month in principal and interest for every $100,000 you borrow. That’s a decline of $7.41 from last week.
15-year fixed mortgage falls,-0.11%
The average rate you’ll pay for a 15-year fixed mortgage is 6.38 percent, down 11 basis points since the same time last week.
Monthly payments on a 15-year fixed mortgage at that rate will cost roughly $865 per $100,000 borrowed. The bigger payment may be a little harder to find room for in your monthly budget than a 30-year mortgage payment would, but it comes with some big advantages: You’ll come out several thousand dollars ahead over the life of the loan in total interest paid and build equity much more rapidly.
5/1 ARM rate rises, +0.02%
The average rate on a 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage is 6.06 percent, ticking up 2 basis points over the last 7 days.
Adjustable-rate mortgages, or ARMs, are home loans that come with a floating interest rate. In other words, the interest rate can change intermittently throughout the life of the loan, unlike fixed-rate mortgages. These types of loans are best for those who expect to sell or refinance before the first or second adjustment. Rates could be substantially higher when the loan first adjusts, and thereafter.
While borrowers shunned ARMs during the pandemic days of super-low rates, this type of loan has made a comeback as mortgage rates have risen.
Monthly payments on a 5/1 ARM at 6.06 percent would cost about $603 for each $100,000 borrowed over the initial five years, but could increase by hundreds of dollars afterward, depending on the loan’s terms.
Jumbo mortgage interest rate moves down, -0.08%
The average rate for the benchmark jumbo mortgage is 7.03 percent, a decrease of 8 basis points over the last week. A month ago, the average rate was below that, at 6.93 percent.
At the average rate today for a jumbo loan, you’ll pay $667.32 per month in principal and interest for every $100,000 you borrow. That represents a decline of $5.39 over what it would have been last week.
Rate review: How mortgage rates have shifted
- 30-year fixed mortgage rate: 7.02%, down from 7.13% last week, -0.11
- 15-year fixed mortgage rate: 6.38%, down from 6.49% last week, -0.11
- 5/1 ARM mortgage rate: 6.06%, up from 6.04% last week, +0.02
- Jumbo mortgage rate: 7.03%, down from 7.11% last week, -0.08
Refinance rates
30-year mortgage refinance drops, –0.08%
The average 30-year fixed-refinance rate is 7.11 percent, down 8 basis points over the last seven days. A month ago, the average rate on a 30-year fixed refinance was lower, at 7.02 percent.
At the current average rate, you’ll pay $672.71 per month in principal and interest for every $100,000 you borrow. That’s down $5.40 from what it would have been last week.
Where mortgage rates are headed
The days of sub-3 percent mortgage interest on the 30-year fixed are behind us, and rates have so far risen beyond 7 percent in 2022.
“Low interest rates were the medicine for economic recovery following the financial crisis, but it was a slow recovery so rates never went up very far,” says McBride. “The rebound in the economy, and especially inflation, in the late pandemic stages has been very pronounced, and we now have a backdrop of mortgage rates rising at the fastest pace in decades.”
Comparing different mortgage terms
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is the most popular loan for homeowners. This mortgage has a number of advantages. Among them:
- Lower monthly payment: Compared to a shorter term, such as 15 years, the 30-year mortgage offers lower payments spread over time.
- Stability: With a 30-year mortgage, you lock in a consistent principal and interest payment. Because of the predictability, you can plan your housing expenses for the long term. Remember: Your monthly housing payment can change if your homeowners insurance and property taxes go up or, less likely, down.
- Buying power: With lower payments, you can qualify for a larger loan amount and a more expensive home.
- Flexibility: Lower monthly payments can free up some of your monthly budget for other goals, like saving for emergencies, retirement, college tuition or home repairs and maintenance.
- Strategic use of debt: Some argue that Americans focus too much on paying down their mortgages rather than adding to their retirement accounts. A 30-year fixed mortgage with a smaller monthly payment can allow you to save more for retirement.
That said, shorter-term loans have gained popularity as rates have been historically low. Although they have higher monthly payments compared to 30-year mortgages, there are some big benefits if you can afford the upfront costs. Shorter-term loans can help you achieve:
- Greatly reduced interest costs: Because you pay off the loan faster, you’ll be able to pay less interest overall.
- Lower interest rate: On top of less time for that interest to compound, most lenders price shorter-term mortgages with lower rates.
- Build equity faster: The faster you pay off your mortgage, the faster you’ll own value in your home outright. That’s especially handy if you want to borrow against your property to fund other spending.
- Debt-free sooner: A shorter-term mortgage means you’ll own your house free and clear sooner than you would with a longer-term loan.
How do mortgage rates affect homebuyers?
In a housing boom, low mortgage rates can present pros and cons for borrowers. One pro: Low rates give borrowers more buying power. A $300,000 loan at 4 percent equates to a monthly payment of $1,432. If rates fall to 3 percent, the payment plunges to $1,265.
However, that sort of decline also can help push up home prices — and values indeed have jumped in recent months.
Here’s an example to show how soaring home prices and plunging mortgage rates can have offsetting effects. Let’s say you chose not to buy a $300,000 home a year ago, when the 30-year mortgage rate was around 3.75 percent. Your 20 percent down payment would’ve been $60,000 and your monthly payment would’ve been $1,111.
The price of the same house has jumped to $335,000 today. However, you can get a 30-year mortgage at 3 percent. As a result, your monthly payment rises only slightly, to $1,130. However, you’ll have to come up with an extra $7,000 to make a 20 percent down payment.
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Today’s featured lenders, June 7, 2023
Source: bankrate.com
