We may earn a fee if you click on the links below. Compensation does not determine ranking. Not all brands are included. Learn more.

  1. Mortgages
  2. Mortgage Rates

Mortgage Rates Dip Lower Again | July 20, 2021

By: Leslie Cook
Leslie Cook, expert in Mortgages, housing market, home renovations, consumer credit, and Editor, Real Estate at Money
Leslie Cook
Editor, Real Estate | Joined November 2019
Leslie Cook is Money’s lead real estate editor covering trends in the housing market, mortgage rates and real estate. She also writes about home renovation trends and tips.
See full bio
Published: Jul 20, 2021 10 min read
Money; Getty Images

Mortgage rates are mostly lower once again today. The interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is averaging 3.257%, down 0.33 percentage points from yesterday. Other loan types are also seeing lower rates with the exception of the 7/1 adjustable-rate purchase and refinance loans, which increased

Lower rates are good news for borrowers who are thinking about applying for a mortgage or refinancing their current loan, allowing those who are well-qualified to lock in lower monthly payments.

  • The latest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is 3.257%.
  • The latest rate on a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage is 2.341%.
  • The latest rate on a 5/1 jumbo ARM is 2.176%.
  • The latest rate on a 7/1 conforming ARM is 4.129%.
  • The latest rate on a 10/1 conforming ARM is 4%.

Mortgage rates today: 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rates

  • The 30-year rate is 3.257%.
  • That's a one-day decrease of 0.033 percentage points. ⇓
  • That's a one-month decrease of 0.286 percentage points. ⇓

With a fixed-rate mortgage, your interest rate and monthly payments are constant and predictable throughout the life of the loan. A 30-year loan is the most popular fixed loan due to its long payback time and comparatively low monthly payments. While the payments are low, the interest rate will be higher than shorter-term loans, which means you'll pay more interest with a 30-year mortgage.

Mortgage rates today: 15-year fixed-rate mortgage rates

  • The 15-year rate is 2.341%.
  • That's a one-day decrease of 0.054 percentage points. ⇓
  • That's a one-month decrease of 0.244 percentage points. ⇓

A 15-year mortgage is a shorter-term fixed-rate loan. You'll pay the loan off in half the time of a 30-year loan, so your monthly payments will actually be higher on a loan of the same size. The interest rate, on the other hand, tends to be lower, which means you'll pay less interest and save money in the long run.

Mortgage rates today: 5/1 jumbo adjustable-rate mortgage rates

  • The 5/1 ARM rate is 2.176%.
  • That's a one-day decrease of 0.041 percentage points. ⇓
  • That's a one-month decrease of 0.081 percentage points. ⇓

Another option is an adjustable-rate mortgage. This type of loan will have a fixed introductory rate at first. Once the fixed-rate period ends, the rate will become variable and reset at specific intervals. Your monthly payments will change along with any changes in the rates.

A 5/1 ARM, for instance, will have a fixed rate for the first five years, then become adjustable and reset annually. The payback time on ARMs is typically 30 years. Adjustable-rate loans come in a variety of terms, including 7/1 ARMs and 10/1 ARMs.

Mortgage rates today: VA, FHA and jumbo loan rates

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

  • The rate on a 30-year FHA mortgage is 2.971%. ⇓
  • The rate on a 30-year VA mortgage is 3.018%. ⇓
  • The rate on a 30-year jumbo mortgage is 3.422%. ⇓

Mortgage refinance rates today

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

  • The refinance rate on a 30-year fixed-rate refinance is 3.586%. ⇓
  • The refinance rate on a 15-year fixed-rate refinance is 2.547%. ⇓
  • The refinance rate on a 5/1 jumbo ARM is 2.446%. ⇓
  • The refinance rate on a 7/1 conforming ARM is 4.431%. ⇑
  • The refinance rate on a 10/1 conforming ARM is 4.277%. ⇓

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 2020 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 changes 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, which means 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 most recent business day rates are available for. Today, we are showing rates for Monday, July 19, 2021. 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.

More from Money:

Rates are subject to change. All information provided here is accurate as of the publish date.