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Average 30-year mortgage rates have inched down 11 basis points from where they peaked in late August, according to Freddie Mac. But whether they’ll continue trending downward depends on the economy.
The Federal Reserve has increased the federal funds rate dramatically to get inflation under control. While markets currently don’t expect the central bank to raise rates at its meeting later this month, it could increase rates later this year if inflation stalls.
High inflation and hikes from the Fed have pushed mortgage rates up to a 20-year high. As inflation slows and the Fed stops increasing its benchmark rate, mortgage rates should come down somewhat.
Hopeful homebuyers who are planning to start shopping soon should keep an eye on the economy, starting with the Consumer Price Index data release on Wednesday. If the CPI comes in higher than expected, mortgage rates may inch up a bit and stay elevated for longer. But if price growth is continuing to slow, that’s a sign that mortgage rates will likely start trending down in the coming months.
Mortgage Rates Today
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30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates
Last week, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 7.12%, according to Freddie Mac. This is a 6-basis-point decrease from the week before.
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is the most common type of home loan. 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 lengthy 30-year term allows you to spread out your payments over a long period of time, meaning you can keep your monthly payments lower and more manageable. The trade-off is that you’ll have a higher rate than you would with shorter terms or adjustable rates.
15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates
The average 15-year mortgage rate was 6.52% last week, according to Freddie Mac data. This is a 3-basis-point drop from the previous week.
If you want 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 a good fit for you. Because 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’ll have a higher monthly payment than you would with a longer term.
Are Mortgage Rates Going Up?
Mortgage rates started ticking up from historic lows in the second half of 2021 and increased significantly in 2022. But mortgage rates are expected to trend down this year.
In the last 12 months, the Consumer Price Index rose by 3.2%. As inflation comes down, mortgage rates should, too. But we’ll likely need to see price growth slow further before we see substantial drops in rates.
For homeowners looking to leverage their home’s value to cover a big purchase — such as a home renovation — a home equity line of credit (HELOC) may be a good option while we wait for mortgage rates to ease. Check out some of our best HELOC lenders to start your search for the right loan for you.
A HELOC is a line of credit that lets you borrow against the equity in your home. It works similarly to a credit card in that you borrow what you need rather than getting the full amount you’re borrowing in a lump sum. It also lets you tap into the money you have in your home without replacing your entire mortgage, like you’d do with a cash-out refinance.
Current HELOC rates are relatively low compared to other loan options, including credit cards and personal loans.
How Do Fed Rate Hikes Affect Mortgages?
The Fed has been increasing the federal funds rate to try to slow economic growth and get inflation under control.
Mortgage rates aren’t directly impacted by changes to the federal funds rate, but they often trend up or down ahead of Fed policy moves. This is because mortgage rates change based on investor demand for mortgage-backed securities, and this demand is often impacted by how investors expect Fed hikes to affect the broader economy.
As inflation comes down, mortgage rates should, too. But the Fed has indicated that it’s watching for sustained signs of slowing inflation, and it’s not going to lower rates again any time soon.