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Compare current mortgage rates for today
For today, Friday, May 14, 2021, the benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 3.050% with an APR of 3.280%. The average 15-year fixed mortgage rate is 2.350% with an APR of 2.650%. The 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) rate is 3.140% with an APR of 3.990%, according to Bankrate’s latest survey of the nation’s largest mortgage lenders.
Compare today's mortgage and refinance rates and get quotes tailored to you below.
About our Mortgage Rate Tables: The above mortgage loan information is provided to, or obtained by, Bankrate. Some lenders provide their mortgage loan terms to Bankrate for advertising purposes and Bankrate receives compensation from those advertisers (our "Advertisers"). Other lenders' terms are gathered by Bankrate through its own research of available mortgage loan terms and that information is displayed in our rate table for applicable criteria. In the above table, an Advertiser listing can be identified and distinguished from other listings because it includes a "Next" button that can be used to click-through to the Advertiser's own website or a phone number for the Advertiser.
Availability of Advertised Terms: Each Advertiser is responsible for the accuracy and availability of its own advertised terms. Bankrate cannot guaranty the accuracy or availability of any loan term shown above. However, Bankrate attempts to verify the accuracy and availability of the advertised terms through its quality assurance process and requires Advertisers to agree to our Terms and Conditions and to adhere to our Quality Control Program. Click here for rate criteria by loan product.
Loan Terms for Bankrate.com Customers: Advertisers may have different loan terms on their own website from those advertised through Bankrate.com. To receive the Bankrate.com rate, you must identify yourself to the Advertiser as a Bankrate.com customer. This will typically be done by phone so you should look for the Advertisers phone number when you click-through to their website. In addition, credit unions may require membership.
Loans Above $548,250 May Have Different Loan Terms: If you are seeking a loan for more than $548,250, lenders in certain locations may be able to provide terms that are different from those shown in the table above. You should confirm your terms with the lender for your requested loan amount.
Taxes and Insurance Excluded from Loan Terms: The loan terms (APR and Payment examples) shown above do not include amounts for taxes or insurance premiums. Your monthly payment amount will be greater if taxes and insurance premiums are included.
Consumer Satisfaction: If you have used Bankrate.com and have not received the advertised loan terms or otherwise been dissatisfied with your experience with any Advertiser, we want to hear from you. Please click here to provide your comments to Bankrate Quality Control.
At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity, this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for how we make money.
By Jeff Ostrowski
Reviewed by Greg McBride, CFA, Chief Financial Analyst for Bankrate
How to use our mortgage rate table
This table will show you estimated mortgage rates from different lenders, tailored to you. Fill out the fields above as accurately as possible so we can get a sense of where you live, what you’re looking to do and your financial situation. Based on the information provided, you will get custom quotes and be on your way to getting a new mortgage. This is an estimate; your actual rate will depend on a number of factors.
How mortgage rates work
Mortgage interest is basically how much you pay the bank to borrow its money. If you’re taking out a $100,000 mortgage, you’ll pay back more than $100,000 over time for the privilege. Generally speaking, shorter-term loans have lower interest rates than longer-term ones. With that lower interest rate and more-rapid payback, a 15-year mortgage, for example, will be a lot less expensive overall than a 30-year one. The flip side is, shorter-term loans mean higher monthly payments, so even though they save you money overall, they can squeeze your monthly budget unless you go for a cheaper home to offset the higher payment.
Why explore quotes?
Shopping around for quotes from multiple lenders is one of Bankrate’s most important pieces of advice for every mortgage applicant. When you shop, it’s important to think about not just the interest rate you’re being quoted, but also all the other terms of the loan. Be sure to compare APRs, which include many additional costs of the mortgage not shown in the interest rate. Keep in mind that some institutions may have lower closing costs than others, or your current bank may extend you a special offer. There’s always some variability between lenders on both rates and terms, so make sure you understand the full picture of each offer, and think about what will suit your situation best.
Bankrate expert weekly mortgage rate insight
Mortgage rates rose slightly during the week ending May 12, an uptick that reminds homeowners of the urgency of refinancing their home loans before rates start moving up in earnest. The average cost of a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage ticked up to 3.19 percent from last week's 3.16 percent, according to Bankrate's national survey of lenders. Rates reached a record low of 2.93 percent in January.
The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage rose ever so slightly, climbing to 2.48 percent from last year's 2.47 percent. Adjustable-rate mortgages got cheaper again, making that type of loan more compelling. Bankrate includes origination points and other fees in its figure. The 30-year fixed-rate loans in this week's survey included an average total of 0.3 discount and origination points.
You might be able to find a better deal: The mortgage offers advertised on Bankrate.com grew more generous during the week ending May 8. The average rate on mortgages clicked on by Bankrate readers was just 2.39 percent. This “clicked-on” rate reflects purchase mortgages and refinances with all terms, including 30- and 15-year loans. The rates may include discount points.
What to know before getting a mortgage
The information below consists of information and tips that will be helpful in selecting the best mortgage for your financial situation.
Mortgage News
Bankrate survey: Young Americans plan to continue delaying the homebuying process
Many Americans are postponing at least one major life event because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new Bankrate survey. 39 percent of respondents say they’ve delayed buying or leasing a car, buying a home, getting married, having a child or taking another significant step.
Some 12 percent of respondents to Bankrate’s survey say they delayed buying a house, relieving some of the pressure on a booming housing market characterized by a sharp shortage of inventory. More than half of homebuyers who delayed real estate purchases anticipate waiting nine months or longer. Younger buyers were more likely to say they’re waiting.
By age group, homebuying delays are expected by 18 percent of those ages 18 to 34, 15 percent of Americans 35 to 54 and just 5 percent of those 55 and older.
The supply of existing homes for sale is near record lows, in part because homeowners decided not to sell during the coronavirus pandemic. Meanwhile, homebuilders haven’t ramped up to historical levels. While there’s a shortage of homes for sale, there’s a glut of buyers vying for homes. That has resulted in bidding wars and soaring prices.
How to navigate your finances in uncertain times
The economic outlook has brightened considerably in recent months, but the U.S. economy remains on shaky footing. Here’s what you can do to prepare your finances for the next crisis:
- Make a plan.Get your financial life in shape. Determine how much you’ll spend, how much you’ll save and how you’ll tackle high-interest debt. If you plan to buy a home in the future, factor a down payment into your savings plan. Now can be a good time to shore up those funds while you wait for housing inventory to open up or decide where you want to live. Having a bigger down payment can help you get more favorable loan terms and afford more house for your money.
Build a rainy-day fund. You’ll sleep better once you’ve amassed an emergency fund equal to about six months’ worth of your expenses. Stash the cash in a liquid and accessible vehicle, such as a high-yield savings account. Shop around for the best rate, and for an account that fits your needs. Consider refinancing debt. Mortgage rates have risen slightly from record lows, but millions of homeowners still could shave hundreds of dollars from monthly payments by refinancing. If you’re carrying high-cost credit card debt, check if a balance transfer card is right for you.
Do you already own a home and want to refinance?
Refinancing your mortgage can be a good financial move if you lock in a lower rate. However, there are upfront costs associated with refinancing, such as appraisals, underwriting fees and taxes, so you’ll want to be sure the savings outpace the refinance price tag in a reasonable amount of time, say 18 to 24 months.
While mortgage rates have risen from the record lows of late 2020 and early 2021, they remain at historically low levels. That means millions of homeowners still could save by refinancing. Reducing your rate isn’t the only reason to refinance. It’s also possible to tap into your home equity to pay for home renovations. Or, if you want to pay down your mortgage more quickly, you can shorten your term to 20, 15 or even 10 years. And because home values have risen sharply, it’s possible that a refinance could free you from paying for private mortgage insurance.
For more information, visit Bankrate’s mortgage refinancing hub. Learn more about refinance rates.
Check out Bankrate’s guide to paying for repairs and 203(k) mortgages for more information.
