Today's Mortgage Rates Drop Back Below 3.4% | May 17, 2021

Today mortgage rates broke from last week's upward trend. The average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate loan dropped to 3.351% and rates for almost all other loan categories, including refinance loans, were also lower. The only exception is the 5/1 adjustable-rate purchase loan, which not only increased by nearly 0.20 percentage points from Friday but is also more than 1% higher than last month.

The latest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is 3.351%.
The latest rate on a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage is 2.481%.
The latest rate on a 5/1 jumbo ARM is 3.966%.
The latest rate on a 7/1 conforming ARM is 4.145%.
The latest rate on a 10/1 conforming ARM is 4.023%.

Current 30-year fixed mortgage rates

The 30-year rate is 3.351%.
That's a one-day decrease of 0.057 percentage points.
That's a one-month increase of 0.001 percentage points.

The most common mortgage is a 30-year fixed-rate loan. With this type of loan, your interest rate and monthly payments won't change for however long you keep the loan. You'll pay it off in 360 months unless you make extra payments, refinance the loan or sell the home.

The interest rate on a 30-year loan will be higher than on a shorter-term loan like a 15-year, but the monthly payments will be lower. On the other hand, because you'll be paying a higher rate for a longer time, you will pay more in total interest with a 30-year mortgage.

Current 15-year fixed mortgage rates

The 15-year rate is 2.481%.
That's a one-day decrease of 0.024 percentage points.
That's a one-month decrease of 0.031 percentage points.

With a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage, the interest rate and monthly payments won't change as long as you have the loan. You'll pay it off in 180 months unless you pay extra, refinance or sell.

A 15-year loan will have a lower interest rate than a 30-year loan. However, because the payback time is shorter, the monthly payments will be higher. What makes a 15-year loan attractive to some borrowers is that, by paying a lower interest rate for less time, they won't pay as much interest as they would with a longer-term loan. Before going this route, make sure you can afford the higher payments.

Current 5/1 jumbo adjustable-rate mortgage rates

The 5/1 ARM rate is 3.966%.
That's a one-day increase of 0.183 percentage points.
That's a one-month increase of 1.082 percentage points.

An adjustable-rate loan will actually have a fixed interest rate for a pre-determined period of time, after which it will become variable. The rate will usually adjust once a year after the fixed-rate period ends. As a result, the monthly payment will be fixed at first but will change along with any changes in the interest rate.

A 5/1 adjustable-rate loan, for example, will have a fixed interest rate for the first five years of the loan, then the rate will adjust once a year. In general, this type of loan will be paid off in 360 months unless you pay extra, refinance or sell. Other common adjustable-rate loan terms include a 7/1 and a 10/1.

The initial interest rate on a 5/1 loan will be among the lowest on the market, making it an attractive option if you don't plan on staying in the home long-term. However, if you do stay beyond the fixed-rate period, remember that the interest rate could increase at some point.

Current 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 3.138%.
The rate on a 30-year VA mortgage is 3.135%.
The rate on a 30-year jumbo mortgage is 3.694%.

Current mortgage refinance rates

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 3.735%.
The refinance rate on a 15-year fixed-rate refinance is 2.672%.
The refinance rate on a 5/1 jumbo ARM is 4.187%.
The refinance rate on a 7/1 conforming ARM is 4.345%.
The refinance rate on a 10/1 conforming ARM is 4.683%.

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 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, 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 Friday, May 14, 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.

Mortgage Rates Drop Back Below 3.4% | May 17, 2021