Good news: Today’s 30-year mortgage rates plunge to 57-day low | Dec. 1, 2022
Falling by more than a quarter point, 30-year rates offer buyers a desirable blend of a relatively low rate and smaller monthly mortgage payment
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Chris Jennings is an authority on mortgages and personal finance. His work has been featured by Fox Business, MSN, AOL, and Yahoo Finance.
Updated October 16, 2024, 2:53 AM EDT
- 30-year fixed mortgage rates: 5.875%, down from 6.500%, -0.625
- 20-year fixed mortgage rates: 6.000%, unchanged
- 15-year fixed mortgage rates: 5.875%, unchanged
- 10-year fixed mortgage rates: 5.750%, down from 5.875%, -0.125
Rates last updated on Dec. 1, 2022. These rates are based on the assumptions shown here. Actual rates may vary. Credible, a personal finance marketplace, has 5,000+ Trustpilot reviews with an average star rating of 4.7 (out of a possible 5.0).
What this means: Rates for a 30-year mortgage fell more than half a percentage point today, bringing this popular repayment term below 6% for the first time in 57 days. Meanwhile, 10-year rates also edged down, and 15- and 20-year rates held steady. Buyers who want a longer repayment term may want to lock in a 30-year rate today. A rate lock could hold their mortgage rate steady at under 6%, regardless of future increases.
- 30-year fixed-rate refinance: 5.875%, down from 6.500%, -0.625
- 20-year fixed-rate refinance: 6.000%, unchanged
- 15-year fixed-rate refinance: 5.875%, unchanged
- 10-year fixed-rate refinance: 5.750%, down from 5.875%, -0.125
Rates last updated on Dec. 1, 2022. These rates are based on the assumptions shown here. Actual rates may vary. With 5,000 reviews, Credible maintains an "excellent" Trustpilot score.
What this means: Homeowners looking to refinance to a longer repayment term have an opportunity to lock in a 30-year interest rate below 6% today. At 5.875%, a 30-year refinance offers homeowners a relatively low interest rate and smaller monthly payments. With rates for three key terms under 6%, homeowners may want to lock in a refinance rate today, ahead of future increases.
How mortgage rates have changed over time
Today’s mortgage interest rates are well below the highest annual average rate recorded by Freddie Mac — 16.63% in 1981. A year before the COVID-19 pandemic upended economies across the world, the average interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage for 2019 was 3.94%. The average rate for 2021 was 2.96%, the lowest annual average in 30 years.
The historic drop in interest rates means homeowners who have mortgages from 2019 and older could potentially realize significant interest savings by refinancing with one of today’s lower interest rates. When considering a mortgage refinance or purchase, it’s important to take into account closing costs such as appraisal, application, origination and attorney’s fees. These factors, in addition to the interest rate and loan amount, all contribute to the cost of a mortgage.
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How Credible mortgage rates are calculated
The rates assume a borrower has a 740 credit score and is borrowing a conventional loan for a single-family home that will be their primary residence. The rates also assume no (or very low) discount points and a down payment of 20%.
How do I choose a mortgage lender?
A mortgage is likely the largest debt you’ll take on in life — one that will take decades to repay. So it’s critical to make sure you choose a mortgage lender and mortgage that work best for your needs and financial situation.
Here are some tips to help you choose a mortgage lender:
- Comparison shop. Compare rates and terms from multiple lenders. Just as you comparison shop for less important purchases, you should compare offers from several lenders. A Freddie Mac study found that adding just one quote to your mortgage search could save you $1,500 over the life of a loan. Adding five could save you about $3,000. Credible makes it easy to compare your prequalified rates from multiple lenders.
- Consider a mortgage broker. Mortgage brokers can do the legwork for you when it comes to finding a loan deal. But be aware that mortgage brokers typically make money by charging a small percentage of the loan for their services.
- Leverage relationships. Explore mortgage offerings from banks and financial institutions you already do business with. Loyalty and familiarity may work in your favor in negotiating a good mortgage deal.
- Look for referrals. Ask friends, family, coworkers and neighbors for referrals, and about their experiences with different lenders.
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As a Credible authority on mortgages and personal finance, Chris Jennings has covered topics that include mortgage loans, mortgage refinancing, and more. He’s been an editor and editorial assistant in the online personal finance space for four years. His work has been featured by MSN, AOL, Yahoo Finance, and more.