Today's Mortgage Rates Keep Rising | February 26, 2021

Interest rates are up again today, continuing an upward climb that seems to be picking up speed. The increase occurred across almost all purchase loan categories. Refinance rates, however, were mixed. The average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is now close to 3.5%.

Even though rates have been steadily rising over the past few weeks, they are still near historic lows. Qualified borrowers interested in either a home purchase or refinancing a mortgage will be able to find favorable rates.

The average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is 3.491% today.
The average rate on a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage is 2.588% today.
The average rate on a 5/1 jumbo ARM is 2.962% today.
The average rate on a 7/1 conforming ARM is 4.273% today.
The average rate on a 10/1 conforming ARM is 4.436% today.

Today's 30-year fixed mortgage rates

Today's 30-year rate is 3.491%.
That's a one-day increase of 0.077 percentage points.
That's a one-month increase of 0.438 percentage points.

A 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has a constant interest rate throughout the life of the loan. As a result, your monthly payment will also remain constant. If you don't refinance or sell, you will pay off the loan in 30 years.

When compared to shorter-term loans like a 15-year loan, the interest rate on a 30-year will typically be higher. However, because you're paying the loan off over a longer period, your monthly payments will be lower.

Although 30-year payments are lower, you'll pay more in overall interest over time that with a 15-year loan, since you're paying interest for a longer period of time and at a higher rate.

Today's 15-year fixed mortgage rate

Today's 15-year rate is 2.588%.
That's a one-day increase of 0.041 percentage points.
That's a one-month increase of 0.205percentage points.

With a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage your interest rate will be constant throughout the full term of the loan. Your monthly payments will also remain constant and you'll pay off the loan in half the time of a 30-year loan.

Interest rates on 15-year loans are usually lower than on 30-year loans. As a result of both a shorter term and a lower interest rate, you'll pay less in overall interest over the full term of the mortgage when compared to a longer-term mortgage. Your monthly payment, however, will be higher.

Today's 5/1 jumbo adjustable-rate mortgage rates

Today's 5/1 ARM rate is 2.962%.
That's a one-day decrease of 0.027 percentage points.
That's a one-month increase of 0.169 percentage points.

Adjustable-rate mortgages start with fixed interest rates for a period of time. Once that predetermined time is up, the interest rate can change every year based on market conditions. This means that your interest rate, and therefore your monthly payments, can either increase or decrease.

The most common loan terms are the 5/1, where the interest rate is fixed for the first five years then reset every year, the 7/1, and the 10/1 ARM.

The interest rate on adjustable-rate loans is often lower than on fixed-rate loans, at least during the initial fixed period. However, because of the pandemic, mortgage rates plunged to a series of record lows. During that time, borrowers with excellent credit could often find a 30-year fixed-rate loan with lower rates than an ARM.

Today's VA, FHA, and jumbo loan rates

The average rates for FHA, VA and jumbo loans are:

The latest rate on a 30-year FHA mortgage is 3.582%.
The latest rate on a 30-year VA mortgage is 3.573%.
The latest rate on a 30-year jumbo mortgage is 3.56%.

Today's mortgage refinance rates

The average rates for 30-year loans, 15- year loans and 5/1 jumbo ARMs are:

The latest refinance rate on a 30-year fixed-rate refinance is 2.938%.
The latest refinance rate on a 15-year fixed-rate refinance is 3.896%.
The latest refinance rate on a 5/1 jumbo ARM is 3.286%.
The latest refinance rate on a 7/1 conforming ARM is 5.207%.
The latest refinance rate on a 10/1 conforming ARM is 5.071%.

Where are mortgage rates heading this year?

Mortgage rates sunk through 2020. Millions of homeowners responded to low mortgage rates by refinancing existing loans and taking out new ones. Many people bought homes they may not have been able to afford if rates were higher.

In January 2021, rates briefly dropped to the lowest levels on record, but trended higher through the month and into February.

Looking ahead, experts believe interest rates will rise more in 2021, but modestly. Factors that could influence rates include how quickly the COVID-19 vaccines are distributed and when lawmakers can agree on another economic relief package. More vaccinations and stimulus from the government could lead to improved economic conditions, which would boost rates.

While mortgage rates are likely to rise this year, experts say the increase won’t happen overnight and it won’t be a dramatic jump. Rates should stay near historically low levels through the first half of the year, rising slightly later in the year. Even with rising rates, it will still be a favorable time to finance a new home or refinance.

Factors that influence mortgage rates include:

The Federal Reserve. The Fed took swift action when the pandemic hit the United States in March of 2020. The Fed announced plans to keep money moving through the economy by dropping the short-term Federal Fund interest rate to between 0% and 0.25%, which is as low as they go. The central bank also pledged to buy mortgage-backed securities and treasuries, propping up the housing finance market. The Fed has reaffirmed its commitment to these policies for the foreseeable future multiple times, most recently at a late January policy meeting.
The 10-year Treasury note. Mortgage rates move in lockstep with the yields on the government’s 10-year Treasury note. Yields dropped below 1% for the first time in March, and have been slowly rising since then. Currently, yields have been hovering above 1% since the beginning of the year, pushing interest rates slightly higher. On average, there is typically a 1.8 point “spread” between Treasury yields and benchmark mortgage rates.
The broader economy. Unemployment rates and change in gross domestic product are important indicators of the overall health of the economy. When employment and GDP growth are low, it means the economy is weak, which can push interest rates down. Thanks to the pandemic, unemployment levels reached all-time highs early last year and have not yet recovered. GDP also took a hit, and while it has bounced back somewhat, there is still a lot of room for improvement.

Tips for getting the lowest mortgage rate possible

There is no universal mortgage rate that all borrowers receive. Qualifying for the lowest mortgage rates takes a little bit of work and will depend on both personal financial factors and market conditions.

Check your credit score and credit report. Errors or other red flags that may be dragging your credit score down. Borrowers with the highest credit scores are the ones who will get the best rates, so checking your credit report before you start the house-hunting process is key. Taking steps to fix errors will help you raise your score. If you have high credit card balances, paying them down can also provide a quick boost.

Save up money for a sizeable down payment. This will lower your loan-to-value ratio, or how much of the home’s price the lender has to finance. A lower LTV usually translates to a lower mortgage rate. Lenders also like to see money that has been saved in an account for at least 60 days. It tells the lender you have the money to finance the home purchase.

Shop around for the best rate. Don’t settle for the first interest rate that a lender offers you. Check with at least three different lenders to see who offers the lowest interest. Also consider different types of lenders, such as credit unions and online lenders in addition to traditional banks.

Also take time to find out about different loan types. While the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is the most common type of mortgage, consider a shorter-term loan like a 15-year loan or an adjustable-rate mortgage. These types of loans often come with a lower rate than a conventional 30-year mortgage. Compare the costs of all to see which one best fits your needs and financial situation. Government loans — such as those backed by the Federal Housing Authority, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Agriculture — can be more affordable options for those who qualify.

Finally, lock in your rate. Locking your rate once you’ve found the right rate, loan product, and lender will help guarantee your mortgage rate won’t increase before you close on the loan.

Our mortgage rate methodology

Money’s daily mortgage rates show the average rate offered by over 8,000 lenders across the United States the previous business day. Today, we are showing rates for Thursday, February 25. Our rates reflect what a typical borrower with a 700 credit score might expect to pay for a home loan right now. These rates were offered to people putting 20% down and include discount points.