Current Mortgage Rates
Review current mortgage rates for September 20, 2020. The table below enables you to compare interest rates and closing costs for leading lenders in your area. Use the refine your search menu to view mortgage rates based on your individual criteria including loan amount, loan-to-value ratio and other inputs. The rate table shows you the APR, mortgage rate, loan type, monthly payment and fees for different lenders and mortgage programs including 15 and 30 year fixed rate loans.
We recommend shopping at least five lenders to find the loan with the lowest mortgage rate and closing costs. Additionally, market conditions fluctuate constantly so we advise you to check our lender tables frequently for the most current mortgage rates.
Refine Your Search+
%Get Personalized Mortgage Quotes
What Determines Current Mortgage Rates?
Mortgage rates are influenced by many factors including the economy, market conditions and your specific circumstances and loan. We review these factors below and explain how each affects your mortgage rate.
Market Conditions. The economy and overall market conditions are play a major role in determining mortgage rates. In general, when the economy is good, mortgage rates are higher and when the economy is struggling, rates are lower. Mortgage rates also correlate to the interest rates set by the Federal Reserve. When the Fed raises its interest rates, which usually happens when the economy is strong, mortgage rates tend to follow.
Mortgage Length. The longer your loan, the higher your mortgage rate and the shorter your loan, the lower your rate. So if you want to save a lot of money on interest expense, choose a shorter loan such as a 15 year mortgage. The downside to shorter loans is that they have higher monthly payment because you repay the mortgage over a shorter time period. Our rate tables enable you to compare mortgage rates and payments for loans with different lengths.
Loan Program. Fixed rate mortgages tend to have higher mortgage rates than the initial rate for an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM). The drawback to an ARM is that your rate and payment may increase over the course of your loan.
Credit Score. For most loan programs, the higher your credit score, the lower your mortgage rate and vice versa. This is why having a good credit score can save you money on your mortgage.
Your Down Payment. You are usually required to make a down payment of at least 20% to receive the best loan terms from a lender, including the lowest mortgage rate. Your down payment also determines if you are required to pay mortgage insurance, which is an extra cost for borrowers to consider.
Loan Amount. You may be required to pay a higher mortgage rate for larger loans, also called jumbo loans. Additionally, some lenders charge higher rates for smaller loans, below $75,000 because they require the the same amount of work but lenders make less money with smaller mortgages. Be sure to understand how your loan amount impacts your mortgage rate.
Lender and Location. Mortgage rates vary by lender and location. Rates tend to be lower in more populated areas with more lenders and lower in more rural areas. The more lenders in an area, the more competition which usually means better loan terms. Additionally, states apply different mortgage regulations which may impact your rate and fees. Finally, lenders have discretion to set the loan terms they offer so that is why it is important -- and can potentially save you a lot of money -- to always contact multiple lenders before you select a mortgage.
Closing Costs. Mortgage rates are usually inversely related to closing costs, which means the higher your costs, the lower your rate. In some case you may pay a higher rate and receive a rebate from the lender instead of paying closing costs. It is important to understand the relationship between mortgage rates and closing costs to select the loan terms that best meet your needs.
Discount Points. You can choose to pay discount points to lower your mortgage rate. A discount point equals 1% of the loan amount and each point should lower your rate by approximately .250%. When you compare mortgage rates you should also understand the discount points the lender is charging. Some lenders may offer a low rate that assumes you pay a high number of points. If two lenders offer similar rates but one uses fewer or no points, choosing the lender that charges less points can save you money. Our lender table enables you to review how changes in discount points impact your mortgage rate.
How to Compare Mortgage Rates on FREEandCLEAR
Customize Your Mortgage Search.
Personalize your mortgage search by selecting numerous options in the "Refine Your Search" menu including your location, loan amount, mortgage program, credit score and discount points. Understand the difference in mortgage rates and monthly payments between a 15 and 30 year loan. Select the boxes for FHA and VA loans to review rates and fees for these no or low down payment mortgage programs. The lender table provides updated interest rates, APRs, monthly mortgage payments and closing costs in response to each selection you make. Plus, our rate tables are free to use so you can run numerous scenarios to evaluate your personalized mortgage options.
Compare Mortgage Rates and Fees.
Use our lender tables to compare current mortgage rates and fees for multiple lenders. Our tables put you in control by enabling you to review rates without providing any personal information. The rate tables also enable you to understand how your estimated monthly mortgage payment changes depending on the interest rate and several other inputs. The APR (Annual Percentage Rate), highlighted in blue, enables borrowers to more easily compare mortgage rates and closing costs for several lenders using a single figure. In short, the lower the APR, the lower the combined mortgage rate and fees the lender is offering. You can also use our Mortgage Comparison Calculator to compare mortgages with different interest rates and fees to select the loan that is right for you. Mortgage rates are influenced by multiple factors including loan size, program, your credit score and discount points and you can use our rate tables to understand in real-time how changes to these inputs affect your loan terms.
Contact Multiple Lenders.
Just like with any other major purchase, you should shop mortgage lenders to find the best offer. Contacting multiple lenders takes a little more time but can save you thousands of dollars. For example, on a $300,000 mortgage, lowering your mortgage rate by .125% saves you almost $8,000 in total interest expense. FREEandCLEAR recommends that you contact at least five lenders to find the mortgage with the most attractive terms, including the lowest interest rate and closing costs, and our rate tables make the process easy. Simply click on a lender logo or green arrow to be directed to the lender’s web site to confirm your loan criteria and mortgage terms. You can also use our Personalized Mortgage Quote form to receive personalized loan quotes from multiple lenders.
Select Your Lender.
When you contact lenders request that they provide you a written quote or a Loan Estimate that outlines the key terms of their mortgage proposal including mortgage rate and closing costs. Lenders will ask you some questions regarding your financial profile so that they can confirm the details of their proposal and possibly even pre-approve you for your mortgage. Please note that lenders should not charge you to provide a mortgage proposal. When speaking with lenders request that they not pull your credit report (so your credit score is not negatively impacted), ask them the right questions and make sure they have the relevant experience to close your mortgage. Narrow your options down to a handful of lenders and negotiate the best terms possible. Comparing mortgage proposals, asking the right questions and doing a little negotiating will help ensure that you select the lender that best meets your goals.
What to Watch Out for When You Shop for a Mortgage.
The most important thing to remember when you shop for mortgage is to compare multiple proposals with similar loan terms. The more lenders you shop, the more likely you are to find the best loan terms. You should also make sure that you review comparable loan proposals for all lenders. For example, comparing a 30 year fixed rate mortgage with one discount point to a an adjustable rate mortgage with no discount points does not make much sense. These programs have different interest rates, loan features and risks. It is important to understand your financing options but make sure you are consistent when you shop mortgages and lenders. It is also important to highlight that you should never pay a lender to receive estimated loan terms and in most cases lenders do not need to pull your credit report to provide you a proposal. This means that shopping for a mortgage is free and should not hurt your credit score.
Make Sure the Mortgage Terms Are Accurate and Up-to-Date
You should also confirm that a lender’s proposal reflects current mortgage rates as well as all closing costs you are required to pay. This helps prevent a bait and switch situation where a lender entices you with one set of loan terms only to change the terms prior to closing. Depending on market conditions mortgage rates can change daily or even hourly so make sure you request updated loan terms and consider locking your mortgage when you select your lender.
Mortgage Rates by Loan Product
Mortgage Rate Report
Sunday, September 20, 2020Mortgage rates dipped this week after climbing in response to the significant economic uncertainty caused by the impact of COVID-19. Rates had pushed higher despite the Federal Reserve's decision to cut interest rates to zero on March 15th.
The rate move was part of a series of aggressive monetary policy measures implemented by the Fed to support a U.S. economy that faces the prospect of major disruption. Potential economic challenges include a spike in unemployment and significant drop in productivity.
Although mortgage rates had jumped over the course of March, this past week brought some welcome relief for borrowers as the Fed's action and the passage of a $2 trillion fiscal stimulus package by the federal government stabilized the lending market. The Fed also ramped up its debt purchasing program, which helped pull rates lower.
A 30 year fixed rate mortgage is holding at 3.500%, while a 15 year fixed rate mortgage sits at 3.000%. Jumbo mortgage rates are also at 3.625%, slightly higher than conforming loans. A 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) settled in at 3.250%, as shorter term financing remains a less expensive option for risk tolerant borrowers. In more favorable news, FHA and VA mortgage rates were steady at 3.375%, with both programs remaining attractive to borrowers focused on low or no down payment programs, especially first-time home buyers. Non-owner occupied mortgage rates come in at 3.875%, offering an attractive financing option for investment property buyers.
While the drop in mortgage rates is certainly positive news, where we go from here remains unclear. Simply put, we are in unprecedented times and it is impossible to predict what direction rates will head in the future. Mortgage rates could gravitate lower toward the Fed's benchmark rate or turn higher in response to continued market volatility.
In general, any signs of recovery or economic stability should have a positive effect on mortgage rates while ongoing uncertainly will likely have a negative impact. This is why if you are looking to buy a home or refinance, you may want to take advantage of current low mortgage rates, because the current market dynamic could change rapidly.
Another byproduct of the current highly unpredictable environment is that we have seen a much wider range in mortgage pricing. Rates from different lenders may vary by over a full percentage point, which makes it even more important to shop multiple lenders to find the best loan terms.
Because market conditions continue to fluctuate now more than ever, we recommend that you use our rate tables to review personalized, updated mortgage rates and fees for lenders in your area. Our tables are free to use and require no personal information.
The final point we want to highlight is that the government and many lenders have implemented several programs for borrowers who are struggling to pay their mortgage due to the current health situation. We provide a comprehensive overview of COVID-19 mortgage assistance options for you to review. From the team at FREEandCLEAR, please stay safe and healthy.
Why Borrowers Compare Mortgage Rates on FREEandCLEAR
Comparing mortgage rates can save you thousands. Use our rate tables to find the lender offering the lowest rates and fees
Our rate tables put you in control. You can compare lenders anonymously plus you never need to provide your social security number
Review mortgage rates from leading lenders. Our lenders offer highly competitive terms to win your mortgage business
More FREEandCLEAR Mortgage Resources
Mortgage Calculators
Our wide range (30+!) of mortgage calculators have got you covered. Determine your monthly payment, what size mortgage you can afford and how much you can save by refinancing
Mortgage Advice
Money and time-saving advice across a wide range of mortgage topics from an expert with over forty years of industry experience
Ask a Mortgage Expert
Got mortgage questions? We love answering them. Submit your mortgage questions and receive an informative response within 24 hours
Mortgage Guides
Our interactive mortgage guides walk you through the mortgage process step-by-step
Sources
Shea, Nicole. “Seven Factors That Determine Your Mortgage Interest Rate.” CFPB. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, September 29 2017. Web.