As we started 2024, the signals in the U.S. real estate market were for inventory growth, sales growth and home-price growth across the U.S. At the time, I observed that even if mortgage rates stayed flat, the momentum seemed to be in the cards for broad, slow growth in the market.
However, mortgage rates didn’t stay flat. They climbed starting Jan. 1 and as of today, March 18, mortgage rates are 30-40 basis points higher than Jan. 1. Rates are off their recent peak of a couple weeks ago, but the latest economic news is still very strong, and the markets are growing less sanguine about interest rates easing significantly soon. Last year, the most common view was that mortgage rates would fall in 2024. That hasn’t materialized yet and many people are less optimistic that it will.
We’ll learn more about the future of interest rates at the Federal Reserve meeting this week. Although I don’t have any capacity to predict interest rates, I do know what happens to the housing market if rates rise or fall from here.
Of my initial expectations this year — rising inventory, rising sales rates, rising prices — only rising inventory remains clear at this moment as we finish Q1 with rising interest rates. I talk frequently about how rising rates creates rising inventory. That’s true again this week in the data. My other two expectations, slowly rising sales volume, and slowly rising prices, are less compelling. Let’s look at the data.
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Housing inventory
Looking at last week’s numbers:
There are 507,000 single-family homes on the market in the U.S.
That’s 1.3% more than a week prior, 22% more than a year ago, and 105% more than two years ago.
This week in 2022 was the last of the 3% mortgages. Inventory and rates rose in lockstep starting then.
There are 250,000 more homes on the market now then when we exited the pandemic boom in March 2022.
At this moment in 2022, interest rates and inventory had started rising quickly together as the pandemic boom ended. Mortgage rates were still in the 3s in early March 2022. By April they were in the 4s and by May they were in the 5s.
As mortgage rates rise, so do the number of unsold homes: Demand slows, inventory grows. As the economy remains surprisingly strong, mortgage rates are staying higher for longer than people predicted and as long as rates stay high, inventory will keep growing.
While inventory is growing across the country, some markets are way more impacted and already have more homes on the market than in 2019 or 2020 just before the pandemic. Nearly all markets are showing inventory growth over last year now and this is expanding every week.
The takeaway? If mortgage rates continue to rise to 7.5% or all the way to 8% again, we will see a pretty dramatic increase in unsold inventory. But if rates finally fall, let’s say to 6.5% or lower, we’ll see consumers act very quickly and this inventory growth will reverse. Lower rates mean more buyer competition and less unsold inventory.
New listings
Last week, 59,000 new single-family listings came to market. New listings volume continues to run ahead of last year and we see more sellers than last year. In fact, last week, after including the 16,000 immediate sales, there were 24% more new listings than the same week a year ago.
Last year was probably a record low for mid-March as we had very few sellers. For the rest of 2024 we should expect to have more sellers than a year ago, which is a very good thing. It was not that long ago that we had 70,000 or 80,000 new listings each week in March. We’re at 59,000 right now so the seller volume is climbing, but it’s still a third fewer than in recent years. So nationally there isn’t any sign of supply and demand getting out of balance.
Home prices
Demand is slow as mortgage rates continue to stay in the 7s. Supply is gradually increasing and demand is generally soft. As a result, some of the leading indicators for future home sales prices are starting to weaken.
One obvious place to watch this pricing transition is in the percent of homes on the market with price reductions. This week, 30.9% of the homes on the market have taken a price cut. That’s up half a percent this week and is now more than a year ago.
It’s totally normal to have around a third of homes on the market take a price reduction from the original list price before they sell. I’m going to watch the slope of this curve as this chart will show exactly how quickly the market reacts to higher mortgage rates. This is a pivotal time for measuring buyer demand.
A longer-term signal is the asking prices of all the homes on the market. The median price of single-family homes in the U.S. right now is $435,000. That’s up a notch from a week earlier and just 1.2% higher than a year ago.
Again, in January I expected this price data to be accelerating a little more quickly than it has. Home prices peak each year in June before receding a bit in the second half of the year. The question now is: will we surpass that all-time high this year or will it get delayed until 2025?
The median price of the new listings inched down to $419,900 last week and the new listings cohort is priced 5% higher than a year ago. The new listings are an excellent leading indicator for future home sales prices. The sellers and listing agents use all their collective wisdom and in aggregate they know exactly where to price the new listing. What this data tells us right now is that across the U.S. we have just narrowly increasing home prices this year so far. The signals are slightly weaker now than the data at the start of the year led me to expect.
Pending sales
This week saw 66,000 new contracts for single-family homes started. That’s 15% more than the same week a year ago. Since mortgage rates have been on the rise this year, the sales have been just barely above last year, so this week was probably a bit of an anomaly, but it is welcome nonetheless.
When we look at the price of the homes in contract but not yet sold — these are the pendings — we see that home sales prices are coming in about 4% higher than a year ago. The median price of all the homes in contract right now is $389,000. Home prices ended 2023 at 5-6% gains over the previous year, so home-price appreciation is compressing as mortgage rates have risen.
If rates stay steady around 7%, I don’t expect much price correction lower. If mortgage rates jump from here, I expect that we’ll see a step down in home prices like we saw in October of 2022.
Mortgage rates came down across all terms from a week ago, according to rate data collected by Bankrate. Rates for 30-year fixed, 15-year fixed, 5/1 ARMs and jumbo loans all receded.
While it’s expected that rates will gradually come down this year, the path might be bumpy.
At its Jan. 31 meeting, the Federal Reserve announced it would hold off changing rates, but could cut rates in the future. At their March 20th meeting, the Fed will update their outlook on rates. Rate changes affect many areas of the economy, including the 10-year Treasury, a key benchmark for fixed-rate mortgages.
“Where the 10-Year Treasury yield goes, mortgage rates will follow,” says Ken Johnson of Florida Atlantic University. “In roughly the last two months, the 10-year Treasury yield is up 50 basis points. Depending on the source, the 30-year mortgage rate is up 48 basis points. Treasurys’ path remains a coin toss at this point.”
Rates accurate as of March 14, 2024.
The rates listed here are averages based on the assumptions indicated here. Actual rates displayed on-site may vary. This story has been reviewed by Suzanne De Vita. All rate data accurate as of Thursday, March 14th, 2024 at 7:30 a.m.
30-year mortgage rate declines, -0.18%
Today’s average rate for the benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage is 6.84 percent, a decrease of 18 basis points from a week ago. A month ago, the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage was higher, at 7.25 percent.
At the current average rate, you’ll pay principal and interest of $654.59 for every $100,000 you borrow. That’s a decline of $12.06 from last week.
The popular 30-year mortgage has a number of advantages:
Lower monthly payment: Compared to a shorter term, such as 15 years, the 30-year mortgage offers lower, more affordable payments spread over time.
Stability: With a 30-year fixed mortgage, you lock in a set principal and interest payment, making it easier to plan your housing expenses for the long term. Remember: Your monthly housing payment can change if your homeowners insurance premiums and property taxes go up or, less likely, down.
Buying power: With lower payments, you might qualify for a larger loan amount or a more expensive home.
Flexibility. Lower monthly payments can free up some of your monthly budget for other goals, like building an emergency fund, contributing to retirement or college tuition, or saving for home repairs and maintenance.
15-year mortgage rate drops, -0.14%
The average rate you’ll pay for a 15-year fixed mortgage is 6.42 percent, down 14 basis points from a week ago.
Monthly payments on a 15-year fixed mortgage at that rate will cost around $867 per $100,000 borrowed. The bigger payment may be a little more difficult to find room for in your monthly budget than a 30-year mortgage payment, 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 moves lower, -0.11%
The average rate on a 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage is 6.35 percent, falling 11 basis points from a week ago.
Adjustable-rate mortgages, or ARMs, are home loans that come with a floating interest rate. In other words, the interest rate will change at regular intervals, unlike fixed-rate mortgages. These loan types are best for people who expect to refinance or sell before the first or second adjustment. Rates could be materially 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 6.35 percent would cost about $622 for each $100,000 borrowed over the initial five years, but could climb hundreds of dollars higher afterward, depending on the loan’s terms.
Current jumbo mortgage rate retreats, -0.12%
The average jumbo mortgage rate is 6.94 percent, a decrease of 12 basis points from a week ago. Last month on the 14th, the average rate for jumbo mortgages was greater than 6.94 at 7.31 percent.
At today’s average rate, you’ll pay a combined $661.28 per month in principal and interest for every $100,000 you borrow. That’s $8.06 lower, compared with last week.
Mortgage refinance rates
30-year fixed-rate refinance trends down, -0.20%
The average 30-year fixed-refinance rate is 6.84 percent, down 20 basis points since the same time last week. A month ago, the average rate on a 30-year fixed refinance was higher at 7.27 percent.
At the current average rate, you’ll pay $654.59 per month in principal and interest for every $100,000 you borrow. That represents a decline of $13.40 over what it would have been last week.
Where are mortgage rates going?
With inflation still above the Fed’s 2 percent goal and the job market holding strong, the Fed isn’t likely to cut rates at its March meeting.
“The Federal Reserve will not cut interest rates in the first half of this year, in my view,” says Lawrence Yun, chief economist of the National Association of Realtors, “but rate cuts of three, four or even five rounds will be possible in the second half of the year as rent measures will be much more well-behaved.”
The rates on 30-year mortgages mostly follow the 10-year Treasury, which shifts continuously as economic conditions dictate, while the cost of variable-rate home loans mirror the Fed’s moves.
These broader factors influence overall rate movement. As a borrower, you could be quoted a higher or lower rate compared to the trend.
What today’s rates mean for you and your mortgage
While mortgage rates change daily, it’s unlikely we’ll see rates back at 3 percent anytime soon. If you’re shopping for a mortgage now, it might be wise to lock your rate when you find an affordable loan. If your house-hunt is taking longer than anticipated, revisit your budget so you’ll know exactly how much house you can afford at prevailing market rates.
Keep in mind: You could save thousands over the life of your mortgage by getting at least three loan offers, according to Freddie Mac research. You don’t have to stick with your bank or credit union, either. There are many types of mortgage lenders, including online-only and local, smaller shops.
“All too often, some [homebuyers] 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?”
More on current mortgage rates
Methodology
Bankrate displays two sets of rate averages that are produced from two surveys we conduct: one daily (“overnight averages”) and the other weekly (“Bankrate Monitor averages”).
The rates on this page represent our overnight averages. For these averages, APRs and rates are based on no existing relationship or automatic payments.
Learn more about Bankrate’s rate averages, editorial guidelines and how we make money.
Average mortgage rates climbed moderately last Friday. Indeed, they rose on every business day last week. However, that followed a week of mainly falls. And those rates begin this morning close to where they were at the start of March.
First thing, it was looking as if mortgage rates today barely move. But that could change later in the day.
Current mortgage and refinance rates
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Program
Mortgage Rate
APR*
Change
Conventional 30-year fixed
7.12%
7.13%
+0.02
Conventional 15-year fixed
6.62%
6.65%
+0.03
Conventional 20-year fixed
7.15%
7.17%
+0.04
Conventional 10-year fixed
6.64%
6.66%
Unchanged
30-year fixed FHA
6.49%
7.17%
+0.01
30-year fixed VA
6.61%
6.72%
+0.02
5/1 ARM Conventional
6.28%
7.38%
Unchanged
Rates are provided by our partner network, and may not reflect the market. Your rate might be different. Click here for a personalized rate quote. See our rate assumptions See our rate assumptions here.
Should you lock your mortgage rate today?
I doubt we’ll see mortgage rates enter a consistent downward trend much before the summer, and possibly later.
So, for now, my personal rate lock recommendations remain:
LOCK if closing in 7 days
LOCK if closing in 15 days
LOCK if closing in 30 days
LOCK if closing in 45 days
LOCKif closing in 60days
However, with so much uncertainty at the moment, your instincts could easily turn out to be as good as mine — or better. So, let your gut and your own tolerance for risk help guide you.
>Related: 7 Tips to get the best refinance rate
Market data affecting today’s mortgage rates
Here’s a snapshot of the state of play this morning at about 9:50 a.m. (ET). The data are mostly compared with roughly the same time the business day before, so much of the movement will often have happened in the previous session. The numbers are:
The yield on 10-year Treasury notes held steady at 4.32%. (Neutral for mortgage rates. However, yields were rising this morning.) More than any other market, mortgage rates typically tend to follow these particular Treasury bond yields
Major stock indexes were rising this morning. (Bad for mortgage rates.) When investors buy shares, they’re often selling bonds, which pushes those prices down and increases yields and mortgage rates. The opposite may happen when indexes are lower. But this is an imperfect relationship
Oil prices increased to $81.35 from $80.62 a barrel. (Bad for mortgage rates*.) Energy prices play a prominent role in creating inflation and also point to future economic activity
Goldprices inched down to $2,159 from $2,162 an ounce. (Neutral for mortgage rates*.) It is generally better for rates when gold prices rise and worse when they fall. Because gold tends to rise when investors worry about the economy.
CNN Business Fear & Greed index — nudged up to 75 from 71 out of 100. (Bad for mortgage rates.) “Greedy” investors push bond prices down (and interest rates up) as they leave the bond market and move into stocks, while “fearful” investors do the opposite. So, lower readings are often better than higher ones
*A movement of less than $20 on gold prices or 40 cents on oil ones is a change of 1% or less. So we only count meaningful differences as good or bad for mortgage rates.
Caveats about markets and rates
Before the pandemic, post-pandemic upheavals, and war in Ukraine, you could look at the above figures and make a pretty good guess about what would happen to mortgage rates that day. But that’s no longer the case. We still make daily calls. And are usually right. But our record for accuracy won’t achieve its former high levels until things settle down.
So, use markets only as a rough guide. Because they have to be exceptionally strong or weak to rely on them. But, with that caveat, mortgage rates today look likely to hold close to steady. However, be aware that “intraday swings” (when rates change speed or direction during the day) are a common feature right now.
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What’s driving mortgage rates today?
The Fed
The Federal Reserve’s rate-setting body (the Federal Open Market Committee or FOMC) begins a two-day meeting tomorrow. And a flurry of events is scheduled for the following afternoon.
Almost nobody expects an announcement of a cut in general interest rates on Wednesday. But events that afternoon include:
2 p.m. Eastern — Rate announcement and report publications
2 p.m. Eastern — Summary of Economic Projects publication. This occurs only quarterly and includes a dot plot
These FOMC documents and the news conference may provide new insights into how the Fed’s thinking on future cuts to general interest rates is evolving. So, markets globally will be paying the closest attention to every word written and uttered.
And there is huge potential for Wednesday’s Fed events to move mortgage rates.
I covered this in last Saturday’s weekend edition. And I’ll brief you in more detail again on Wednesday morning so you’ll know what to look out for.
Other influences on mortgage rates this week
Most of the economic reports on this week’s calendar are unlikely to affect mortgage rates. It’s not impossible. But they cover areas of the economy that rarely interest the bond investors who largely determine those rates.
Today’s lone report is a good example. It’s the home builder confidence index for February, which came in as expected. I don’t recall the last time that had a perceptible influence on mortgage rates. And the same goes for tomorrow’s housing starts and building permits, also for February.
The two reports that might move mortgage rates this week are both March purchasing managers’ indexes (PMIs) from S&P. One covers the services sector and the other manufacturing.
They’re both expected to show purchasing activity slowing modestly. But I’ll brief you more fully on what to expect on Wednesday.
Friday has no scheduled economic reports. However, three Fed speakers, including Chair Jerome Powell, have speaking engagements that day. Those could be an opportunity to reinforce messages communicated on Wednesday and to correct any misunderstandings. So, they could have an impact on mortgage rates.
Don’t forget you can always learn more about what’s driving mortgage rates in the most recent weekend edition of this daily report. These provide a more detailed analysis of what’s happening. They are published each Saturday morning soon after 10 a.m. (ET) and include a preview of the following week.
Recent trends
According to Freddie Mac’s archives, the weekly all-time lowest rate for 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages was set on Jan. 7, 2021, when it stood at 2.65%. The weekly all-time high was 18.63% on Sep. 10, 1981.
Freddie’s Mar. 14 report put that same weekly average at 6.74% down from the previous week’s 6.88%. But note that Freddie’s data are almost always out of date by the time it announces its weekly figures.
Expert forecasts for mortgage rates
Looking further ahead, Fannie Mae and the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) each has a team of economists dedicated to monitoring and forecasting what will happen to the economy, the housing sector and mortgage rates.
And here are their rate forecasts for the four quarters of 2024 (Q1/24, Q2/24 Q3/24 and Q4/24).
The numbers in the table below are for 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages. Fannie’s were updated on Feb. 12 and the MBA’s on Feb. 20.
Forecaster
Q1/24
Q2/24
Q3/24
Q4/24
Fannie Mae
6.5%
6.3%
6.1%
5.9%
MBA
6.9%
6.6%
6.3%
6.1%
Of course, given so many unknowables, both these forecasts might be even more speculative than usual. And their past record for accuracy hasn’t been wildly impressive.
Important notes on today’s mortgage rates
Here are some things you need to know:
Typically, mortgage rates go up when the economy’s doing well and down when it’s in trouble. But there are exceptions. Read ‘How mortgage rates are determined and why you should care’
Only “top-tier” borrowers (with stellar credit scores, big down payments, and very healthy finances) get the ultralow mortgage rates you’ll see advertised
Lenders vary. Yours may or may not follow the crowd when it comes to daily rate movements — though they all usually follow the broader trend over time
When daily rate changes are small, some lenders will adjust closing costs and leave their rate cards the same
Refinance rates are typically close to those for purchases.
A lot is going on at the moment. And nobody can claim to know with certainty what will happen to mortgage rates in the coming hours, days, weeks or months.
Find your lowest mortgage rate today
You should comparison shop widely, no matter what sort of mortgage you want. Federal regulator the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau found in May 2023:
“Mortgage borrowers are paying around $100 a month more depending on which lender they choose, for the same type of loan and the same consumer characteristics (such as credit score and down payment).”
In other words, over the lifetime of a 30-year loan, homebuyers who don’t bother to get quotes from multiple lenders risk losing an average of $36,000. What could you do with that sort of money?
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Mortgage rate methodology
The Mortgage Reports receives rates based on selected criteria from multiple lending partners each day. We arrive at an average rate and APR for each loan type to display in our chart. Because we average an array of rates, it gives you a better idea of what you might find in the marketplace. Furthermore, we average rates for the same loan types. For example, FHA fixed with FHA fixed. The end result is a good snapshot of daily rates and how they change over time.
How your mortgage interest rate is determined
Mortgage and refinance rates vary a lot depending on each borrower’s unique situation.
Factors that determine your mortgage interest rate include:
Overall strength of the economy — A strong economy usually means higher rates, while a weaker one can push current mortgage rates down to promote borrowing
Lender capacity — When a lender is very busy, it will increase rates to deter new business and give its loan officers some breathing room
Property type (condo, single-family, town house, etc.) — A primary residence, meaning a home you plan to live in full time, will have a lower interest rate. Investment properties, second homes, and vacation homes have higher mortgage rates
Loan-to-value ratio (determined by your down payment) — Your loan-to-value ratio (LTV) compares your loan amount to the value of the home. A lower LTV, meaning a bigger down payment, gets you a lower mortgage rate
Debt-To-Income ratio — This number compares your total monthly debts to your pretax income. The more debt you currently have, the less room you’ll have in your budget for a mortgage payment
Loan term — Loans with a shorter term (like a 15-year mortgage) typically have lower rates than a 30-year loan term
Borrower’s credit score — Typically the higher your credit score is, the lower your mortgage rate, and vice versa
Mortgage discount points — Borrowers have the option to buy discount points or ‘mortgage points’ at closing. These let you pay money upfront to lower your interest rate
Remember, every mortgage lender weighs these factors a little differently.
To find the best rate for your situation, you’ll want to get personalized estimates from a few different lenders.
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Are refinance rates the same as mortgage rates?
Rates for a home purchase and mortgage refinance are often similar.
However, some lenders will charge more for a refinance under certain circumstances.
Typically when rates fall, homeowners rush to refinance. They see an opportunity to lock in a lower rate and payment for the rest of their loan.
This creates a tidal wave of new work for mortgage lenders.
Unfortunately, some lenders don’t have the capacity or crew to process a large number of refinance loan applications.
In this case, a lender might raise its rates to deter new business and give loan officers time to process loans currently in the pipeline.
Also, cashing out equity can result in a higher rate when refinancing.
Cash-out refinances pose a greater risk for mortgage lenders, so they’re often priced higher than new home purchases and rate-term refinances.
Check your refinance rates today. Start here
How to get the lowest mortgage or refinance rate
Since rates can vary, always shop around when buying a house or refinancing a mortgage.
Comparison shopping can potentially save thousands, even tens of thousands of dollars over the life of your loan.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
1. Get multiple quotes
Many borrowers make the mistake of accepting the first mortgage or refinance offer they receive.
Some simply go with the bank they use for checking and savings since that can seem easiest.
However, your bank might not offer the best mortgage deal for you. And if you’re refinancing, your financial situation may have changed enough that your current lender is no longer your best bet.
So get multiple quotes from at least three different lenders to find the right one for you.
2. Compare Loan Estimates
When shopping for a mortgage or refinance, lenders will provide a Loan Estimate that breaks down important costs associated with the loan.
You’ll want to read these Loan Estimates carefully and compare costs and fees line-by-line, including:
Interest rate
Annual percentage rate (APR)
Monthly mortgage payment
Loan origination fees
Rate lock fees
Closing costs
Remember, the lowest interest rate isn’t always the best deal.
Annual percentage rate (APR) can help you compare the ‘real’ cost of two loans. It estimates your total yearly cost including interest and fees.
Also, pay close attention to your closing costs.
Some lenders may bring their rates down by charging more upfront via discount points. These can add thousands to your out-of-pocket costs.
3. Negotiate your mortgage rate
You can also negotiate your mortgage rate to get a better deal.
Let’s say you get loan estimates from two lenders. Lender A offers the better rate, but you prefer your loan terms from Lender B. Talk to Lender B and see if they can beat the former’s pricing.
You might be surprised to find that a lender is willing to give you a lower interest rate in order to keep your business.
And if they’re not, keep shopping — there’s a good chance someone will.
Fixed-rate mortgage vs. adjustable-rate mortgage: Which is right for you?
Mortgage borrowers can choose between a fixed-rate mortgage and an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM).
Fixed-rate mortgages (FRMs) have interest rates that never change unless you decide to refinance. This results in predictable monthly payments and stability over the life of your loan.
Adjustable-rate loans have a low interest rate that’s fixed for a set number of years (typically five or seven). After the initial fixed-rate period, the interest rate adjusts every year based on market conditions.
With each rate adjustment, a borrower’s mortgage rate can either increase, decrease, or stay the same. These loans are unpredictable since monthly payments can change each year.
Adjustable-rate mortgages are fitting for borrowers who expect to move before their first rate adjustment, or who can afford a higher future payment.
In most other cases, a fixed-rate mortgage is typically the safer and better choice.
Remember, if rates drop sharply, you are free to refinance and lock in a lower rate and payment later on.
How your credit score affects your mortgage rate
You don’t need a high credit score to qualify for a home purchase or refinance, but your credit score will affect your rate.
This is because credit history determines risk level.
Historically speaking, borrowers with higher credit scores are less likely to default on their mortgages, so they qualify for lower rates.
So, for the best rate, aim for a credit score of 720 or higher.
Mortgage programs that don’t require a high score include:
Conventional home loans — minimum 620 credit score
FHA loans — minimum 500 credit score (with a 10% down payment) or 580 (with a 3.5% down payment)
VA loans — no minimum credit score, but 620 is common
USDA loans — minimum 640 credit score
Ideally, you want to check your credit report and score at least 6 months before applying for a mortgage. This gives you time to sort out any errors and make sure your score is as high as possible.
If you’re ready to apply now, it’s still worth checking so you have a good idea of what loan programs you might qualify for and how your score will affect your rate.
You can get your credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com and your score from MyFico.com.
How big of a down payment do I need?
Nowadays, mortgage programs don’t require the conventional 20 percent down.
Indeed, first-time home buyers put only 6 percent down on average.
Down payment minimums vary depending on the loan program. For example:
Conventional home loans require a down payment between 3% and 5%
FHA loans require 3.5% down
VA and USDA loans allow zero down payment
Jumbo loans typically require at least 5% to 10% down
Keep in mind, a higher down payment reduces your risk as a borrower and helps you negotiate a better mortgage rate.
If you are able to make a 20 percent down payment, you can avoid paying for mortgage insurance.
This is an added cost paid by the borrower, which protects their lender in case of default or foreclosure.
But a big down payment is not required.
For many people, it makes sense to make a smaller down payment in order to buy a house sooner and start building home equity.
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Choosing the right type of home loan
No two mortgage loans are alike, so it’s important to know your options and choose the right type of mortgage.
The five main types of mortgages include:
Fixed-rate mortgage (FRM)
Your interest rate remains the same over the life of the loan. This is a good option for borrowers who expect to live in their homes long-term.
The most popular loan option is the 30-year mortgage, but 15- and 20-year terms are also commonly available.
Adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM)
Adjustable-rate loans have a fixed interest rate for the first few years. Then, your mortgage rate resets every year.
Your rate and payment can rise or fall annually depending on how the broader interest rate trends.
ARMs are ideal for borrowers who expect to move prior to their first rate adjustment (usually in 5 or 7 years).
For those who plan to stay in their home long-term, a fixed-rate mortgage is typically recommended.
Jumbo mortgage
A jumbo loan is a mortgage that exceeds the conforming loan limit set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
In 2023, the conforming loan limit is $726,200 in most areas.
Jumbo loans are perfect for borrowers who need a larger loan to purchase a high-priced property, especially in big cities with high real estate values.
FHA mortgage
A government loan backed by the Federal Housing Administration for low- to moderate-income borrowers. FHA loans feature low credit score and down payment requirements.
VA mortgage
A government loan backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. To be eligible, you must be active-duty military, a veteran, a Reservist or National Guard service member, or an eligible spouse.
VA loans allow no down payment and have exceptionally low mortgage rates.
USDA mortgage
USDA loans are a government program backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They offer a no-down-payment solution for borrowers who purchase real estate in an eligible rural area. To qualify, your income must be at or below the local median.
Bank statement loan
Borrowers can qualify for a mortgage without tax returns, using their personal or business bank account as evidence of their financial circumstances. This is an option for self-employed or seasonally-employed borrowers.
Portfolio/Non-QM loan
These are mortgages that lenders don’t sell on the secondary mortgage market. And this gives lenders the flexibility to set their own guidelines.
Non-QM loans may have lower credit score requirements or offer low-down-payment options without mortgage insurance.
Choosing the right mortgage lender
The lender or loan program that’s right for one person might not be right for another.
Explore your options and then pick a loan based on your credit score, down payment, and financial goals, as well as local home prices.
Whether you’re getting a mortgage for a home purchase or a refinance, always shop around and compare rates and terms.
Typically, it only takes a few hours to get quotes from multiple lenders. And it could save you thousands in the long run.
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Current mortgage rates methodology
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Credit cards are handy financial tools, thanks to the credit card issuers who offer, provide, and manage them. A credit card issuer is a type of financial institution that supplies credit cards to consumers.
Read on to learn more about how these businesses operate.
What Is a Credit Card Issuer?
Credit card issuers are financial institutions responsible for making credit cards, managing the application and approval process for credit cards, and keeping credit card accounts running smoothly. If you needed to check your credit card balance, pay your bill, or request a replacement credit card, you’d turn to your credit card issuer.
Recommended: Guide to Credit Card Purchase Protection
How Credit Card Issuers Work
The financial institutions that offer credit cards can be lending institutions, banks, credit unions, or fintech companies. The cardholder borrows money from the credit card issuer each time they make a purchase, and when they pay their credit card bill, they’re paying the credit card issuer back for some or all of the credit they have used. This makes credit card issuers integral to what a credit card is.
A credit card issuer is the one to determine an applicant’s credit card interest rate and limit, the type of cardholder benefits offered, and the fee structure for the credit card. Generally, credit card issuers aren’t the ones to process merchant transactions, but they do decide whether to approve or decline a charge.
When questions about their credit card arise, account holders can call the number on the back of their credit card to connect with their credit card issuer’s customer support line.
Why Are Credit Card Issuers Important?
Understanding why credit card issuers are so important can help consumers to better manage their relationship with their credit card issuer and choose the right credit card for their needs once they’re old enough to get a credit card.
The issuer is responsible for determining a credit card’s terms and features. All credit card issuers have different policies, customer support approaches, and types of rewards offerings. Before choosing a credit card, it’s helpful to carefully research not just how a credit card works but how the credit card issuer runs its operations, in terms of fees and rates you will be subject to.
Recommended: How Do Credit Cards Work?
Common Credit Card Issuer Fees
What the fees look like for a specific credit card will vary by credit card issuer, but the following credit card issuer fees are fairly common to come across.
Annual Fees
An annual fee is a charge that’s paid once a year for having the credit card. These fees can often range from $95 to $500 or more per year. Not all cards charge this fee, but those that do tend to come with more valuable perks and rewards.
Before signing up for a credit card with an annual fee, it’s important to crunch the numbers to see if the rewards that come with using the credit card (like cash back or travel points) will outweigh the cost of the fee. Even if you get a good APR for a credit card, a high annual fee could make the offer less sweet.
Late Payment Fees
Late payment fees apply when someone is past due on paying their bill. Usually, these fees go up each time a payment is missed. The late fee won’t ever cost more than the minimum payment due on the payment the cardholder missed, but these fees can still add up. The current average fee is $32, but it may soon be lowered to $8, pending legislation.
Balance Transfer Fees
When someone transfers their credit card balance from one card to another (usually to a balance transfer card with a lower interest rate), they can potentially owe a balance transfer fee. This fee can be either a percentage of the transferred amount or a fixed fee.
While consolidating debt through a balance transfer can make it easier to pay off credit card debt, make sure to take into consideration any fees involved.
Foreign Transaction Fees
Making purchases when traveling abroad can lead to paying a foreign transaction fee, which is usually around 1% to 3% of the purchase.
However, there are plenty of credit cards — especially travel rewards credit cards — that don’t charge foreign transaction fees. If someone travels internationally often, they could save a lot by choosing a credit card with no foreign transaction fees, which is worth considering when applying for a credit card.
Credit Card Issuer vs Credit Card Payment Networks
It’s easy to confuse credit card issuers and credit card payment networks. While a credit card issuer creates and manages credit cards, a credit card payment network is the one that processes transactions between credit card companies and merchants.
Here are the key differences between credit card issuers and credit card payment networks:
Credit Card Issuer
Credit Card Payment Network
• Creates and manages credit cards
• Accepts or declines credit card applicants
• Determines fees, credit card APR, credit limits, and rewards
• Approves and declines credit card transactions
• Processes transactions between credit card companies and merchants
• Creates the digital infrastructure that facilitates credit card transactions
• Charges an interchange fee
• Determines which credit cards can be used with which merchants
Differences Between Credit Card Issuers and Co-branded Partners
A co-branded partner is a merchant that works with a credit card issuer to create a co-branded credit card with their name on it. This is a common arrangement with store, airline, and hotel credit cards.
Here’s a breakdown of how credit card issuers and co-branded partners differ:
Credit Card Issuer
Co-Branded Partner
• Responsible for creating and managing credit cards
• Decides whether to accept or decline credit card applicants
• Determines card specifics, like fees, interest rates, and rewards
• Approves and declines credit card transactions
• Works with a a credit card issuer to create a co-branded card
• Uses co-branded card created by issuer to increase sales and attract new customers
• Can use co-branded card to deliver value to loyal customers
Finding the Credit Card Issuer Number
If someone looks closely at their credit card, they’ll be able to learn a lot about their credit card issuer, including what their credit card issuer number is and how to contact their issuer.
Credit Card Issuer Phone Number
It’s always possible to learn how to contact a credit card issuer by going to their website, but cardholders also can find their card issuer’s phone number on the back of their credit card or on their monthly statements.
Credit Card Issuer Identification Number
To find a credit card issuer number, all a cardholder has to do is look at the string of numbers on a credit card. The first six to eight digits on the card represent the Bank Identification Number (BIN), or the Issuer Identification Number (IIN). This number is what identifies the credit card issuer. The following digits on the card are what identify the cardholder.
Examples of Some Major Credit Card Issuers
There are many different credit card issuers, but these are some of the biggest ones in the U.S.:
• American Express
• Bank of America
• Capital One
• Chase
• Citi
• Discover
• U.S. Bank
• Wells Fargo
The Takeaway
When you’re choosing a credit card, looking at the credit card issuer matters. This is the financial institution that creates and manages credit cards, determines a card’s fees, interest rate, and rewards offerings, and also approves (or denies) credit card applicants. Knowing that you have a well regarded issuer with fair policies is an important step in securing a credit card that suits your needs.
Whether you’re looking to build credit, apply for a new credit card, or save money with the cards you have, it’s important to understand the options that are best for you. Learn more about credit cards by exploring this credit card guide.
FAQ
How do I know my credit card issuer?
If someone is unsure of who their credit card issuer is, they can look at the credit card number on their card. The first six to eight digits on a credit card — called either the Bank Identification Number (BIN) or the Issuer Identification Number (IIN) — identify the card issuer.
What is the difference between a credit card issuer and a credit card network?
Credit card networks, unlike credit card issuers, are the party that processes the credit card transaction directly with merchants. Credit card networks have digital infrastructure that allow them to facilitate transactions between merchants and card issuers in exchange for an interchange fee.
What do credit card issuers do?
Credit card issuers create, distribute, and manage credit cards. They decide what the interest rates and fees of a credit card are, who is approved for one and how much they can spend, and how the card’s rewards structure works.
Photo credit: iStock/Luke Chan
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.
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Back in late 2023, we got in the car with the Federal Reserve with the promise of a trip to our favorite place: the land of lower interest rates. In 2024, we keep asking “are we there yet?” The more we ask, the farther we seem to be from the destination.
This trip began with all the best intentions. Softer inflation and cooler economic data led the Fed to expect an opportunity to cut rates several times in 2024. The Fed communicated as much in mid-December. Markets took things a step further with futures contracts pricing in 6 cuts by the end of the year. “6 rate cuts” was a refrain that echoed throughout the mortgage and housing industries. Suddenly, too many people were risking disappointment by not understanding the HIGHLY conditional logic behind the 6 cut mantra.
It wasn’t necessarily a mistake for the market to get so far ahead of the Fed’s official outlook. After all, the Fed has a history of cutting rates MUCH faster than its projections suggest. But the decision would ultimately be dependent on continued progress on inflation, and more economic cooling.
With the release of this week’s inflation data, we now have two consecutive months that raise serious objections to the notion that the Fed will be able to cut any time soon.
This is a chart of the core Consumer Price Index (CPI) in year over year terms. This is the inflation metric that the Fed wants to see at 2% and they’ve been clear in saying they can cut rates if they’re confident that we’ll get there. It shows clear, substantial progress toward that goal:
The following chart shows the same thing, but now in more granular month-over-month terms. This allows us to better assess progress toward the 2% annual goal. It shows the past range that’s been consistent with that annual goal, but more importantly, it shows inflation moving up and out of that range last month. This week’s report maintained the same “too high” level.
The news wasn’t quite as bad from the week’s other key inflation report, but it certainly didn’t help. The Producer Price Index (PPI), which measures wholesale inflation, has also now seen the highest two consecutive months since inflation first began to calm down in 2022.
While PPI doesn’t usually move markets as much as CPI, and while the results were arguably not as troubling, it actually caused a bigger jump in rates because it added insult to CPI’s injury. It also happened to be flanked by upbeat labor market data. The following chart shows ongoing jobless claims, which had recently crested 1.9 million for only the second time since hitting long term lows.
On the road to lower rates, this week’s economic reports are tantamount to the driver actually making good on the threat to “turn this car around!” Here’s how rates reacted, as seen in terms of 10yr Treasury yields (highly correlated with mortgage rates in terms of day to day movement).
And here’s the context going back to the initial rate rally in November and December:
The trajectory for mortgage rates is substantially similar as seen in the chart below, at least if you’re looking at the blue line. The orange line shows Freddie Mac’s weekly rate survey which was badly tricked by the timing of rate movement over the past two weeks in conjunction with its laggy methodology. Specifically, it’s a 5 day average ending on Wednesday. As such, if the previous week sees decent improvement on Thursday and Friday, and the new week doesn’t see most of its deterioration until Thursday and Friday, the most recent mark will move down instead of up. This is exactly what happened during this cycle.
Looking ahead, next week’s obvious focus is Wednesday’s Fed Announcement. To be sure, there is no chance of a rate cut at this meeting. Instead, markets will focus intently on the Fed’s updated rate projections. These only come out 4 times a year, so this will be the first update since December 13th and it will provide valuable insight as to how the past 2 months of higher inflation readings have affected the Fed’s rate outlook.
Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate mortgages to write unbiased product reviews.
Mortgage rates started the week relatively low, but they’re back up today.
Average 30-year mortgage rates are around 20 basis points up from where they were earlier this week, and are now in the upper 6% range, according to Zillow data.
Mortgage rates are expected to go down in 2024, but they’ve been elevated so far this year in response to still-high inflation.
Price growth has slowed significantly from when it peaked in 2022, but it’s still above the Federal Reserve’s target rate of 2%. In February, the Consumer Price Index actually inched up a bit from the previous month.
Because the path to lower inflation is proving to be a bit bumpy, we’ll likely need to wait a few more months until mortgage rates fall. And if inflation continues to stagnate, we might not see rates drop until much later in the year.
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Mortgage Calculator
Use our free mortgage calculator to see how today’s interest rates will affect your monthly payments.
Mortgage Calculator
$1,161 Your estimated monthly payment
Total paid$418,177
Principal paid$275,520
Interest paid$42,657
Paying a 25% higher down payment would save you $8,916.08 on interest charges
Lowering the interest rate by 1% would save you $51,562.03
Paying an additional $500 each month would reduce the loan length by 146 months
By clicking on “More details,” you’ll also see how much you’ll pay over the entire length of your mortgage, including how much goes toward the principal vs. interest.
30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates
This week’s average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.74%, according to Freddie Mac. This is a 14-basis-point decrease from the previous week.
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is the most common type of home loan. With this type of mortgage, you’ll pay back what you borrowed over 30 years, and your interest rate won’t change for the life of the loan.
The lengthy 30-year term allows you to spread out your payments over a long period of time, meaning you can keep your monthly payments lower and more manageable. The trade-off is that you’ll have a higher rate than you would with shorter terms or adjustable rates.
15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates
Average 15-year mortgage rates inched down to 6.16% this week, according to Freddie Mac data. This is a six-point decrease since the week before.
If you want the predictability that comes with a fixed rate but are looking to spend less on interest over the life of your loan, a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage might be a good fit for you. Because these terms are shorter and have lower rates than 30-year fixed-rate mortgages, you could potentially save tens of thousands of dollars in interest. However, you’ll have a higher monthly payment than you would with a longer term.
How Do Fed Rate Hikes Affect Mortgages?
The Federal Reserve has increased the federal funds rate dramatically to try to slow economic growth and get inflation under control. So far, inflation has slowed significantly, but it’s still a bit above the Fed’s 2% target rate.
Mortgage rates aren’t directly impacted by changes to the federal funds rate, but they often trend up or down ahead of Fed policy moves. This is because mortgage rates change based on investor demand for mortgage-backed securities, and this demand is often impacted by how investors expect Fed hikes to affect the broader economy.
The Fed has indicated that it’s likely done hiking rates and that it could start cutting soon. This will likely allow mortgage rates to trend down later this year.
When Will Mortgage Rates Go Down?
Mortgage rates increased dramatically over the last two years, but they’ve moderated somewhat in recent months, and are expected to drop further this year.
In February 2024, the Consumer Price Index rose 3.2% year-over-year. Inflation has slowed significantly since it peaked last year, which is good news for mortgage rates. But it has to slow further before rates will begin to fall.
For homeowners looking to leverage their home’s value to cover a big purchase — such as a home renovation — a home equity line of credit (HELOC) may be a good option while we wait for mortgage rates to ease. Check out some of our best HELOC lenders to start your search for the right loan for you.
A HELOC is a line of credit that lets you borrow against the equity in your home. It works similarly to a credit card in that you borrow what you need rather than getting the full amount you’re borrowing in a lump sum. It also lets you tap into the money you have in your home without replacing your entire mortgage, like you’d do with a cash-out refinance.
Current HELOC rates are relatively low compared to other loan options, including credit cards and personal loans.
Greece continues to have the worst performance in household credit, registering a consistently negative rate, which was -1.7% in January against a 0.3% increase in the eurozone, according to a report published on Thursday by DBRS Morningstar, focusing on the “slow production of new mortgage loans.”
The rise in interest rates and high inflation have made the growth rate of loans in the eurozone shrink, as it plunged from 4.5% in the first half of 2022 to a marginally positive rate in 2023. This contrasts with a steady contraction in Greece, due to large repayments exceeding new disbursements.
The aversion to borrowing by households is observed despite the fact that the vast majority of new mortgage disbursements in Greece are at fixed interest rates, which, through successive reductions made by Greek banks recently, have fallen to historic lows.
Fixed term rates start at 3% for a 3-year term, while last week Eurobank further reduced the 10-year fixed rate and above by 0.30 points, which starts at 4.10% and reaches 4.30% for periods of 15, 20, 25 and 30 years.
As DBRS observes, the high interest income of Greek banks, which increased by 51% year-on-year, is mainly linked to the strengthening of the portfolio of business loans, which grew by 5.1% in 2023, against an average increase of just 0.2% in the eurozone, despite stricter lending criteria, high interest rates and high repayments.
Interest income amounted to 8.1 billion euros at the end of 2023 compared to €5.4 billion in 2022 and according to DBRS this is mainly due to the overall better performance of the Greek economy, as well as the disbursement of loans linked to the country’s growth and the Recovery Fund funds, which “will continue to support the growth of the loan portfolio combined with some recovery foreseen for new mortgages.”
Fee income in 2023 was €1.8 billion compared to €1.7 billion in 2022, up 7%, driven by increased trading income, grant activity and sales growth activity investment and bancassurance products.
When it comes to their kids, many of your employees may be willing to put their retirement on the line.
As HR pros focus on workforce planning, understanding the burden that college costs impose on most employees is a key component for successful financial wellness programs.
Paying for college is a daunting challenge, and even financially savvy parents can become overwhelmed and confused by the college financing process. That’s where employer-sponsored education efforts can help. Employers who understand the following common college financing traps can better plan programs to alleviate the stress of paying for college and improve financial wellness overall.
Trap One: Prioritizing Their Children’s Education Over Their Own Retirement
By now, it’s become a financial wellness mantra: Parents should prioritize their retirement savings before saving for or paying for a child’s college education. After all, the thinking goes, students can borrow for education costs, but parents can’t borrow money to pay for retirement. And if parents don’t properly prepare for retirement, their children may end up supporting them in their later years, jeopardizing their future finances.
But with ever-rising tuition costs and the increasing burden of student debt, it may be harder for your employees to follow that tried-and-true advice. The cost of college has more than doubled over the past four decades — and student loan borrowing has risen along with it. Americans collectively owe more than 1.7 trillion in student loan debt, according to the Federal Reserve .
Trying to ease the burden on their children, your employees may be raiding their future. Among people aged 25 to 80 who are saving for both retirement and future college expenses, 58% say they are delaying retirement, and 41% say they have withdrawn money from their own retirement funds to pay for a child’s (or other relative’s) tuition, according to a July 2023 survey by the Society of Actuaries .
When an employee delays retirement to catch up on missed retirement savings or pay off education loans, it can be costly to an organization. What’s more, if paying for college forces an employee to work longer than they want to, the result may be a less productive, less engaged worker.
Recommended: SoFi Survey: The Future of Financial Well-Being at Work
Trap Two: Mismanaging PLUS loans
Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS loans) are underwritten by the federal government and allow families to borrow without the same credit checks and other limits imposed on other types of lending. Because these loans are in a parent’s name, your employees may naturally gravitate to them as a way to help their children avoid debt.
But there are drawbacks. Unlike federal student loans, there are no limits on the amount parents can borrow as long as it doesn’t exceed education costs. To qualify for a PLUS loan, parents need only pass a check for an “adverse event” such as a recent bankruptcy filing or foreclosure. There is no consideration of the borrower’s ability to repay the loan. Given the often astronomical costs of attending a four-year college, your employees may quickly find they have taken on more debt than they can comfortably handle.
In addition, PLUS loan interest rates, set by the government each year, are usually significantly higher than student-held federal loans (8.05% for 2023-2024 versus 5.50%) and sometimes higher than some private college loans.
If parents default or consolidate their PLUS loans, or if they receive a forbearance or a deferment, the interest that continues to accrue is capitalized. That means that principal and payments can become even more unaffordable for employees. In addition, if the loans go into default, the government can garnish wages, Social Security checks, and tax refunds.
Recommended: Preparing for College Resource Guide for Parents
Trap Three: Avoiding College Financing at All Costs
Another common mistake lurks on the opposite side of the spectrum. In an effort to avoid college debt of any kind, parents who have some, but not enough, college savings may decide to forego saving for retirement, dip into retirement savings, or use home equity to pay tuition bills as they come.
Withdrawing 401(k) savings can result in significant penalties, taxes, and, importantly, lost principal and earnings. Cash-out home refinancing can lead to higher and perhaps unaffordable mortgage payments. Even putting retirement savings on hold when the year’s tuition is due can translate into large gaps in savings goals, depending on the number and ages of children attending college.
These are all understandable mistakes. As we saw above, an overreliance on debt to pay college bills can seriously jeopardize financial well-being. But so, too, can dismissing the strategic use of financial aid and loans to finance college costs.
For instance, your employees may neglect filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), figuring that they earn too much to qualify for federal financial aid. According to Sallie Mae’s How America Pays for College 2023 report, 71% of families filed the FAFSA for the 2022-2023 academic year, down from 86% in 2016-2017.
These parents may not realize that without the FAFSA, the student will not be awarded federal subsidized and unsubsidized loans, which can be attractive for their low rates and, in the case of subsidized loan, help from the government in paying interest.
More importantly, many schools require students to submit a FAFSA to be eligible for merit-based scholarships and grants, even though these funds are awarded according to the student’s academic record and other achievements, not financial need. Merit-based aid does not have to be repaid and is usually awarded to undergraduates for the full four years.
While too much debt is never smart, a prudent and affordable mix of well-structured student debt can help parents avoid sacrificing retirement savings, home equity, and other long-term savings to pay for college now.
Employer-sponsored college financing education and one-on-one college counseling can help ensure parents understand the complexities of financial aid and student borrowing so they can balance long-term and current financial needs and goals.
The Takeaway
Employers who help parents avoid these common college financing traps may help alleviate what is fast becoming one of the largest sources of financial stress in your workforce.
SoFi at Work can help with student loan repayment platforms, extensive education efforts, plus a lending suite of student, graduate student, MBA, and parent loans. For organizations that are looking to help their employees get ahead on their education financing goals, SoFi at Work also offers a 529 College Savings Program, which can be integrated into any payroll system.
Photo credit: iStock/Orbon Alija
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Interest-only mortgages let you pay just the accruing interest on your loan for an introductory period — but they come with high payments once that period ends.
These loans mainly benefit those planning to move or anticipating a big income increase within a decade.
Since the Great Recession, interest-only mortgages have been hard to find due to their high risk.
An interest-only mortgage allows you to pay only the interest on your loan for a set period. This type of mortgage can help you more easily afford the payments in the short term — but not without some drawbacks. Here’s what to know.
What is an interest-only mortgage?
An interest-only mortgage is a home loan that allows borrowers to make interest-only payments for a set amount of time, typically between seven and 10 years, at the start of a 30-year term. After this introductory period ends, the borrower pays principal and interest for the remainder of the loan at a variable interest rate.
In the early 2000s, homebuyers gave in to the instant gratification of mortgages that allowed them to make interest-only payments at the start of the loan, so long as they took on supersized payments over the long term. This was one of the risky practices that contributed to the housing crisis in 2007, leading to the Great Recession. In the end, many people lost their homes.
Some lenders still offer interest-only mortgages today — often as an adjustable-rate loan — but with much stricter eligibility requirements. They are now considered non-qualified mortgages (non-QM loans) because they don’t meet the backing criteria for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or the other government entities that insure and repurchase mortgages. Simply put: an interest-only mortgage is a riskier product.
How do interest-only mortgages work?
With an interest-only loan, you’ll pay interest at a fixed or adjustable rate during the interest-only period. The interest rates are comparable with what you might find with a conventional loan, but because you’re not paying any principal, the initial payments are much lower. However, they may still include property taxes, homeowners insurance and possibly private mortgage insurance (PMI).
Even though you’re only required to pay the interest at first, you still have the option of paying down the principal during the loan’s introductory period.
At the end of the initial period, borrowers must repay the principal either in one balloon payment at a set date, which can be very large, or in monthly payments (that also include interest) for the remainder of the term. These payments of principal and interest are going to be larger than the interest-only ones. And, because your principal payments are being amortized over only 20 years instead of 30, those payments will be higher than those of someone with a traditional 30-year loan.
You can refinance after the interest-only period is over, although fees will likely apply.
Example of an interest-only mortgage
Say you obtain a 30-year interest-only loan for $330,000, with an initial rate of 5.1 percent and an interest-only term of seven years. During the interest-only period, you’d pay roughly $1,403 per month.
After this initial phase, with our interest-only loan example, the payment would rise to $2,033 per month — assuming your rate doesn’t change. Many interest-only loans convert to an adjustable rate, so if rates rise in the future, yours will, too (and vice versa).
With a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage for the same amount, you’d pay $1,882 per month. This includes principal and interest, and also accounts for the higher rate on this type of loan — in this case, 5.54 percent.
With both the traditional fixed-rate option and our interest-only loan example, you’d pay a total of about $677,000, with around $347,000 of those payments going toward interest. As you can see, however, you’d ultimately have a higher monthly payment with an interest-only loan. If your interest-only loan requires a balloon payment instead, you’d be on the hook for several hundred thousand dollars.
How to qualify for an interest-only mortgage
Interest-only loans have been harder to come by since the housing crisis of the mid-2000s. Fewer lenders offer them, and banks have set stricter requirements to qualify.
Banks generally only offer an interest-only mortgage to a well-qualified borrower. You’ll likely need:
A credit score of 700 or more
A debt-to-income (DTI) ratio of 43 percent of less
A down payment of 20 percent or more
Solid proof of future earning potential
Ample assets
Should you consider an interest-only mortgage?
The best candidates for an interest-only mortgage are borrowers who have full confidence they’ll be able to cover the higher monthly payments when they arise. This kind of home loan might be right for you if:
You’re in graduate school and want to keep repayments low for now — but anticipate having a high-paying job in future
You have a trust that will start releasing assets at a future date
You flip houses and need to keep expenses down during the remodel
You expect to move before the end of the introductory period
Interest-only loans can be a prudent personal finance strategy under certain circumstances, but they’re not a good idea for everyone. Here are some pros and cons:
Pros of interest-only mortgages
You get more house for your money. You can enjoy a larger home for less money while you save up for a larger mortgage. That’s assuming you have a sound plan in place for when those larger payments eventually kick in. Bankrate’s affordability calculator can help you estimate how much house you can afford.
Interest-only payments are smaller than conventional mortgage payments. The initial monthly payments on interest-only loans tend to be significantly lower than payments on conventional loans, and the interest rate may be fixed during the first part of the loan. Bankrate’s interest-only mortgage calculator can help you determine what your monthly payment would be.
You kick higher payments down the road. You can delay making large mortgage payments or avoid them entirely if you plan to move out of your home before the introductory period ends.
If interest rates are high now, you can avoid them. If rates are anticipated to be lower in the future, you can keep your monthly payments relatively affordable and then reap the benefits of lower rates by the time the interest-only period ends.
Cons of interest-only mortgages
You won’t build home equity. As long as you’re only paying interest, you’re not building equity in your home. And if your home’s value depreciates, you could end up upside-down on your mortgage or risk negative amortization.
You might get an unaffordable payment after the interest-only period. You could encounter serious sticker shock when the interest-only period ends, and your monthly payments suddenly double or triple, or if you have to make a sizable balloon payment at the end of the initial period.
You’ll be at the mercy of market interest rates. If rates have risen since the loan originated, when the intro period ends, you may have a payment much higher than you want.
If your income changes, the home may be unaffordable down the road. Your anticipated future income might not match your expectations, saddling you with more house than you can afford.
Alternatives to an interest-only mortgage
Before you take on this kind of loan, ask yourself: what is an interest-only mortgage going to do for you? Make sure you think long-term.
If you want to avoid this higher-risk form of home financing, you can explore other types of mortgages. Many adjustable-rate mortgages also have a long, low-interest introductory rate period — and, since the payments include some principal, you’ll be building equity during it.
If you’re drawn to interest-only loans because of the low monthly payment, explore government-backed loans like one from the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). These can give you more affordable payments without the future jump that comes with an interest-only mortgage.
Can I change to an interest-only mortgage?
It is possible to refinance a traditional mortgage to an interest-only loan, and borrowers might consider this option as a way to free up money to put toward short-term investments or an unexpected expense. So, how do interest-only loans work as a refi? You would meet the same scrutiny and requirements as you would if applying for a first-time interest-only loan.
The same eligibility criteria for refinancing also apply, and some lenders may raise the bar since it is a higher-risk loan.
In any refinance, you will need to receive a home appraisal and pay closing costs and fees. Refinancing can cost 3 percent to 6 percent of the home’s total amount. In addition, if you have less than 20 percent equity in your home, you will be required to pay PMI.
The Federal Reserve’s recent data says the average credit card interest rate is 21.47%, which is a high number by most standards. If you never carry a balance or take out cash advances, it may not be a big deal for you, but if you do, it’s worth paying attention to the average credit interest rate. Doing so could help you anticipate and potentially budget for increased interest payments.
Here, you’ll learn more about credit card interest rates and how they can impact your financial life.
What Is the Average Credit Card Interest Rate?
The average interest rate for credit cards is 21.47%, as mentioned above, as of the start of 2024. Rates have been steadily increasing in recent years — in November 2021, the average rate for credit cards was 14.51%, and back in November 2017, for example, it was 13.16%.
Keep in mind, however, that the interest rate for your credit card could be higher or lower than this average depending on factors such as your credit profile, given how credit cards work. So what’s a good annual percentage rate (APR) for you may be different from what a good APR for a credit card is for someone else, as you’ll learn in more detail below.
Interest Rates by Credit Quality Types
Credit card interest rates, or the APR on a credit card, tend to vary depending on an applicant’s credit score. The average interest rate for credit cards tends to increase for those who have lower credit scores, according to the CFPB’s most recent Consumer Credit Card Market Report.
The report measures what’s called an effective interest rate — meaning, the total interest charged to a cardholder at the end of the billing cycle.
Credit Quality
Effective Interest Rate
Deep subprime (a score of 579 or lower)
23%
Subprime (a score of 580-619)
22%
Near prime (a score of 620-659)
20%
Prime (a score of 660-719)
18%
Prime plus (a score of 720-799)
15%
Super prime (800-850)
9%
What this table shows is that the lower your credit score, the more you will be paying in interest on balances you have on your credit cards (meaning, any amount that remains after you make your credit card minimum payment).
Keep in mind that these rates don’t include any fees that may also apply, such as those for balance transfers or late payments, which can further increase the cost of borrowing.
Recommended: Revolving Credit vs. Line of Credit, Explained
Interest Rates by Credit Card Types
Interest rates may vary depending on the type of credit card you carry. In general, platinum or premium credits have a higher APR — cards with higher interest rates tend to come with better features and benefits.
Type
APR Range
No annual fee credit card
20.64% – 27.65%
Cash back credit card
21.06% – 27.78%
Rewards credit card
20.91% – 28.15%
Prime Rate Trend
The prime rate is the interest rate that financial institutions use to set rates for various types of loans, such as credit cards. Most consumer products use the prime rate to determine whether to raise, decrease, or maintain the current interest rate. That’s why for credit cards, you’ll see the rates are variable, meaning they can change depending on the prime rate.
As of March 6, 2024, the prime rate is 8.50%. On March 17, 2022, the prime rate was 3.50%. This can be considered an example of how variable this rate can be.
Delinquency Rate Trend
Credit card delinquency rates apply to accounts that have outstanding payments or are at least 90 days late in making payments. These rates have fluctuated based on various economic conditions. In many cases, rates are higher in times of financial duress, such as during the financial crisis in 2009, when it was at 6.61%.
As economic conditions rebound or the economy builds itself up, delinquency rates tend to go down, as consumers can afford to make on-time payments. According to the Federal Reserve, the delinquency rate for the fourth quarter in 2023 was 3.20%, up from 2.34% a year earlier and 1.63% for the same time period in 2021. This may be due to the pandemic, when consumers were more wary of discretionary spending or from negotiating payment plans with creditors.
Credit Card Debt Trend
Credit card debt has risen from its previous levels of $926 billion in 2019 and $825 billion at the end of 2020. It has climbed to $1.129 trillion for the fourth quarter of 2023, a new high.
This shows an ongoing surge in credit card debt, and these statistics can make individual cardholders think twice about their own balance and how to lower it.
Recommended: How Does Credit Card Debt Forgiveness Work?
Types of Credit Card Interest Rates
Credit cards have more than one type of interest rate. The credit card interest rate that applies may differ depending on how you use your card.
Purchase APR
The purchase APR is the interest rate that’s applied to balances from purchases made anywhere that accepts credit card payments. For instance, if you purchase a pair of sneakers using your credit card, you’ll be charged the purchase APR if you carry a balance after the statement due date.
Balance Transfer APR
A balance transfer APR is the interest rate you’ll be charged if you move a balance from one credit card to another. Many issuers offer a low introductory balance transfer APR for a predetermined amount of time.
Penalty APR
A penalty APR can kick in if you’re late on your credit card payment. This rate is usually higher than the purchase APR and can be applied toward future purchases as long as your account remains delinquent. This is why it’s always critical to make your credit card payment, even if you’re in the midst of requesting a credit card chargeback, for instance.
Cash Advance APR
A cash advance has its own separate APR that gets triggered when you use your card at an ATM or bank to withdraw cash, or if you use a convenience check from the issuer. The APR tends to be higher than the purchase APR.
Introductory APR
An introductory APR is an APR that’s lower than the purchase APR and that applies for a set amount of time. Introductory APRs may apply to purchases, balance transfers, or both.
For instance, you may get a 0% introductory APR for purchases you make for the first 18 months of account opening. After that, your APR will revert to the standard APR. (Note that the end of the introductory APR is completely unrelated to your credit card expiration date.)
Factors That Affect Interest Rate
When you apply for a credit card, you may notice that your interest rate is different from what was advertised by the issuer. That’s because there are several factors that affect your interest rate, which can make it higher or lower than the average credit card interest rate.
Credit Score
Your credit score determines how risky of a borrower you are, so your interest rate could reflect your creditworthiness. Lenders tend to charge higher interest rates for those who have lower scores. Your credit score can also influence whether your credit limit is above or below the average credit card limit.
Credit Card Type
The type of credit card may affect how much you could pay in interest. Different types of credit cards include:
• Travel rewards credit cards
• Student credit cards
• Cash-back rewards credit cards
• Balance transfer cards
Most likely, the more features you get, the higher the interest rate could be. Student credit cards may have lower interest rates, but that may not always be the case. That’s why it’s best to check the APR range of credit cards you’re interested in before submitting an application.
The Takeaway
The current average credit card interest rate is 21.47%, according to data from the Federal Reserve. However, your rate could be higher or lower than the average APR for credit cards based on factors such as your creditworthiness and the type of card you’re applying for. Your best bet is to pay off your entire balance each month on your credit card so you don’t have to worry about how high the interest rate for a credit card may be. That way, you can focus on features you’re interested in.
With whichever credit card you may choose, it’s important to understand its features and rates and use it responsibly.
Whether you’re looking to build credit, apply for a new credit card, or save money with the cards you have, it’s important to understand the options that are best for you. Learn more about credit cards by exploring this credit card guide.
FAQ
What is the average credit card interest rate?
The average interest rate for credit cards is 21.47%, according to the latest data from the Federal Reserve for the fourth quarter of 2023.
How do you get a low credit card interest rate?
You may be able to get a low credit card interest rate by building your credit score, as this will encourage lenders to view you as less risky. Otherwise, you can also aim to get a credit card with a low introductory rate, though these offers are generally reserved for those with good credit. Even if the APR is temporary, it could be beneficial depending on your financial goals.
What is a bad APR rate?
A bad APR is generally one that is well above the average credit card interest rate. However, what’s a good or bad APR for you will depend on your credit score as well as what type of card you’re applying for.
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Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.