Mortgage of the day, refinancing rate: August 6, 2022

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is more than half a percentage point lower than it was two weeks ago. Rates have been volatile over the past few weeks, but have generally trended lower as markets brace for a possible recession.

The Federal Reserve has raised the federal funds rate in an attempt to bring inflation under control, and many now fear that it may not be able to do so without slowing the economy too much.

Some have even speculated that we are already in a recession, pointing to the fact that gross domestic product has fallen two quarters in a row. But on Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the United States added 528,000 jobs in July, well above what many economists expected.

Mortgage rates could remain volatile as the results of Fed rate hikes continue to be felt.

Current Mortgage Rates

Current refinance rates

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Use our free mortgage calculator to see the impact of today’s mortgage rates on your monthly payments. By plugging in different rates and terms, you’ll also understand how much you’ll pay over the life of your mortgage.

Click “More Details” for tips on how to save money on your long-term mortgage.

30-year fixed mortgage rates

The current average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 4.99%, according to Freddie Mac. This is a decrease from last week when it was 5.3%, and the second week in a row this rate has fallen.

The 30-year fixed rate mortgage is the most common type of mortgage. With this type of mortgage, you’ll pay back what you borrowed over 30 years and your interest rate won’t change for the life of the loan.

The 30-year long term allows you to spread your payments out over a long period, which means you can keep your monthly payments lower and more manageable. The tradeoff is that you’ll get a higher rate than with shorter terms or adjustable rates.

15-year fixed mortgage rates

The average 15-year fixed mortgage rate is 4.26%, down from the previous week, according to data from Freddie Mac. This is the second consecutive week that this rate has decreased.

If you’re looking for the predictability that comes with a fixed rate, but are looking to spend less on interest over the life of your loan, a 15-year fixed rate mortgage might be right for you. Since these terms are shorter and have lower rates than 30-year fixed rate mortgages, you could potentially save tens of thousands of dollars in interest. However, you will have a higher monthly payment than you would with a longer term.

5/1 Adjustable Mortgage Rates

The average 5/1 adjustable mortgage rate is 4.25%, down slightly from the previous week. This is the third week in a row that this rate has fallen.

Variable rate mortgages can seem very attractive to borrowers when rates are high, as the rates on these mortgages are usually lower than fixed mortgage rates. A 5/1 ARM is a 30 year mortgage. For the first five years, you will have a fixed rate. After that, your rate will adjust once a year. If rates are higher when your rate adjusts, you’ll have a higher monthly payment than you started with.

If you’re considering an ARM, make sure you understand how much your rate might increase each time it adjusts and how much it might ultimately increase over the life of the loan.

Are mortgage rates increasing?

Mortgage rates started to recover from historic lows in the second half of 2021 and have risen significantly so far in 2022. More recently, rates have been relatively volatile.

Over the past 12 months, the consumer price index has increased by 9.1%. The Federal Reserve has been struggling to keep inflation under control and plans to raise the target federal funds rate three more times this year, following increases in March, May, June and July.

Although not directly tied to the fed funds rate, mortgage rates are sometimes pushed higher due to Fed rate hikes and investors’ expectations of the impact of those hikes on the economy. . If inflation remains high, mortgage rates could remain at current levels or even increase. But as a recession becomes more likely, mortgage rates could fall.

How can I find personalized mortgage rates?

Some mortgage lenders allow you to customize your mortgage rate on their websites by entering your down payment amount, zip code and credit score. The resulting rate is not fixed, but it can give you an idea of ​​what you will pay.

If you’re ready to start buying homes, you can get pre-approved from a lender. The lender makes a firm credit application and reviews your financial details to lock in a mortgage rate.

How to compare mortgage rates between lenders?

You can apply for prequalification with several lenders. A lender takes a general look at your finances and gives you an estimate of the rate you will pay.

If you’re further along in the home buying process, you have the option of getting pre-approved from multiple lenders, not just one company. By receiving letters from more than one lender, you can compare personalized rates.

The pre-approval request requires a firm credit application. Try to apply to multiple lenders within a few weeks, because consolidating all your hard credits in the same amount of time will hurt your credit score less.