Mortgage rate trends: Mortgage rates dip down

Mortgage rates this week

• The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage is down to 6.81% this week
• The average rate on a 15-year fixed mortgage is up to 6.10% this week

30-year fixed-rate mortgages

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate decreased to 6.81% this week, down from an average of 6.84% last week. A year ago at this time, the 30-year rate averaged 7.22%.

15-year fixed-rate mortgages

The average 15-year mortgage rate increased to 6.10%, up from an average of 6.02% last week. This time a year ago, the 15-year fixed rate averaged 6.56%.

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Mortgage rate trends

See how mortgage rates have changed over the last three months. The average 30-year mortgage rate hit a high of 6.84% the week of November 21, while the average 15-year mortgage rate topped out at 6.10%, the week of November 28.

What’s behind current mortgage rate trends?

Inflation: The current inflation rate is 2.6%, compared to 2.4% last month. Mortgage lenders often demand higher interest rates to compensate for the eroding purchasing power of money due to inflation.

Federal funds rate: The federal funds rate is set by central bank officials, and it’s the interest rate that banks charge one another for borrowing money. Central banks adjust key interest rates to control inflation or stimulate the economy, and mortgage rates can follow suit. The current federal funds rate is at 4.75% to 5.0%.

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How mortgage rates affect your monthly payments

Say you’re buying a $500,000 property, have a 10% down payment and lock in a 30-year fixed mortgage at today’s average rate of 6.81%. Using a mortgage calculator, your monthly mortgage payment would be $3,867 a month, not including property taxes and insurance.

When buying a home, keep in mind that most lenders want you to keep your housing expenses at or under 30% of your gross income. Based on your income and expenses, use this calculator to find out how much home you could afford at today’s mortgage rates.

Mortgage application demand increases

Demand for mortgages increased 6.3% this week from a week earlier, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA).

Meanwhile, the Refinance Index decreased 3% from the previous week and was 119% higher than the same week one year ago.

“Purchase activity drove overall applications higher last week, as conventional purchase applications picked up pace and mortgage rates declined for the first time in over two months, "said Joel Kan, MBA’s Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist.

"The decline in refinance activity was driven by pullbacks in FHA and VA refinances. Applications were significantly higher than a year ago by most measures, but this was compared to the week of Thanksgiving 2023, which was a week earlier than this year’s holiday.”

Should you buy a home at the current mortgage rates?

With the current 30-year fixed mortgage rate at 6.81%, you might wonder if now is the right time to buy a home. To help you make the best decision, ask yourself a few questions.

Am I financially stable? Reflect on your current financial situation, including your income, job stability, and overall financial health. Use a mortgage income calculator to determine what monthly mortgage payment you could comfortably afford. Remember to factor in property taxes, insurance and maintenance costs.

Where do I see myself in 5, 10 years? Imagine yourself five, 10, 15 years from now. What does your career look like? Are you in the same city/state? Thinking about your long-term plans can help you determine if buying a home at today’s mortgage rates is a good idea or not.

How’s my credit score? Your credit score plays a significant role in the interest rate you'll be offered. If it’s on the low end, you may want to focus on boosting your score. With a higher credit score, you can qualify for the best mortgage rates available.