Today's 30-year mortgage rates dip back below 5% | April 7, 2022
Rates are volatile and trending up, so today may be a good opportunity for buyers to lock in a lower rate ahead of further increases.
Check out the mortgage rates for April 7, 2022, which are mixed from yesterday. (Credible)
Based on data compiled by Credible, mortgage refinance rates have remained unchanged for all four terms since yesterday.
- 30-year fixed-rate refinance: 4.920%, unchanged
- 20-year fixed-rate refinance: 5.125%, unchanged
- 15-year fixed-rate refinance: 4.250%, unchanged
- 10-year fixed-rate refinance: 4.000%, unchanged
Rates last updated on April 7, 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: Refinance rates held steady across all repayment terms for the second straight day. Rates for a 20-year term are still higher than a 30-year term; 30-year rates are typically the highest.
Today’s mortgage rates for home purchases
Based on data compiled by Credible, mortgage rates for home purchases have fallen for two terms and remained unchanged for two others since yesterday.
- 30-year fixed mortgage rates: 4.875%, down from 5.125%, -0.250
- 20-year fixed mortgage rates: 5.000%, unchanged
- 15-year fixed mortgage rates: 4.125%, down from 4.250%, -0.125
- 10-year fixed mortgage rates: 4.000%, unchanged
Rates last updated on April 7, 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: Mortgage rates for a 30-year term, which is the most popular, slid back below the 5% mark today, giving buyers an opportunity to lock in a slightly lower rate. Buyers who can swing a higher monthly payment might consider locking in a rate for a 15-year term, which also dropped slightly. At 4.125%, a 15-year rate can offer even more interest savings for buyers than a longer-term rate.
To find great mortgage rates, start by using Credible’s secured website, which can show you current mortgage rates from multiple lenders without affecting your credit score. You can also use Credible’s mortgage calculator to estimate your monthly mortgage payments.
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 or refinance, 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.
Are you looking to buy a home? Credible can help you compare current rates from multiple mortgage lenders at once in just a few minutes. Use Credible’s online tools to compare rates and get prequalified today.
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How Credible mortgage rates are calculated
Changing economic conditions, central bank policy decisions, investor sentiment, and other factors influence the movement of mortgage rates. Credible average mortgage rates and mortgage refinance rates reported in this article are calculated based on information provided by partner lenders who pay compensation to Credible.
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%.
Credible mortgage rates reported here will only give you an idea of current average rates. The rate you actually receive can vary based on a number of factors.
Why do mortgage rates fluctuate?
Here are some of the most common reasons why mortgage rates move frequently:
Employment patterns
The employment rate is an indicator of demand for mortgages. When more people are unemployed, fewer people will be looking to get a mortgage and buy a home — and that lower demand will push interest rates down. When the employment rate improves, demand for mortgages will likely keep pace. And as demand for mortgages rises, so will mortgage interest rates.
The bond market
Because bonds are a lower-risk type of investment, demand for bonds can increase when investors are wary of other investment vehicles, or fearful of the overall state of the economy. Increased demand for bonds causes their price to rise and their earnings — called their yield — to fall.
When bond yields fall, consumer interest rates generally do as well, including mortgage interest rates. When investors feel more confident about the economy, demand for bonds declines, bond prices drop and yields rise. And interest rates tend to follow.
Federal Reserve System
"The Fed," as it’s commonly called, is the United States’ central bank. But it doesn’t actually set mortgage rates. Rather, multiple things the Fed does influence mortgage rates. For example, while mortgage rates don’t mirror the Fed funds rate — the rate banks apply when borrowing lending money to each other overnight — they do tend to follow it. If that rate rises, mortgage rates typically rise in tandem.
Global economy
Global banking systems and economies are closely interconnected. When economies in other parts of the world — especially Europe and Asia — experience a downturn, it affects investors and financial institutions in the United States. And, when foreign economies are doing well, they may attract more American investors — and divert those investment dollars out of the U.S. economy.
If you’re trying to find the right mortgage rate, consider using Credible. You can use Credible's free online tool to easily compare multiple lenders and see prequalified rates in just a few minutes.
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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.