What Are Current Mortgage Rates?
Mortgage rates vary widely by state. Several factors affect the cost of home financing, including housing demand and the number of lenders in an area. High operational costs result in higher rates. Increasing risks for lenders may lead to higher rates, so they may increase their rates if they’re concerned about risky areas. Other factors include economic conditions, such as the availability of credit and employment. Fortunately, a good understanding of the factors that affect mortgage rates can help you make the best decision for your needs.
Average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate jumps to 5.23%
According to Freddie Mac’s PMMS, the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate has increased by 0.9 percentage points in the past year to 5.78%, an increase of 2.36 percentage points from a year ago. This increase limits homebuyers’ housing choices and prices out others. For example, a $300,000 loan at 5.23 percent would cost $1,653 a month, excluding other costs. At 5.78 percent, it would cost $1,756 per month. Compared to the 3.79 percent averaged one year ago, the higher rate would add $103 to each payment each month, or $1,236 a year. That’s $3780 over the life of the loan.
The increase comes despite a number of factors. For instance, the Federal Reserve is widely expected to continue its tightening monetary policy and combat the inflationary pressures. Moreover, rising prices in the broader economy may have influenced lenders’ expectations. The Federal Reserve’s next meeting is scheduled to take place on June 14-15. If this happens, mortgage rates could rise further.
As a result of rising interest rates, the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate is at its highest level in three years. This is due to the fact that the Federal Reserve has boosted the key interest rate by another quarter-point to combat the high inflation. The rising rates have also contributed to a sharp turnaround in the housing market. Home sales have fallen for six straight months and the rising rates haven’t dampened the red-hot price of homes.
The recent increase in mortgage rates comes despite rising economic activity and incoming inflation data. Mortgage rates do not follow the Federal Reserve’s benchmark rate, but they track the yield on 10-year Treasury bonds, which are heavily influenced by expectations of inflation and the Fed’s actions. Because of the high rates and rising home prices, prospective homebuyers are being priced out of the market. Experts say the market is headed for a slowdown, but that’s unlikely.
Average rate on 15-year fixed-rate mortgage jumps to 4.49%
A 15-year fixed-rate mortgage is one that maintains the same interest rate over the life of the loan. In other words, the monthly payments will remain constant. Today, the average rate on a $100,000 loan will be $803, which is about 2% higher than last year. But this doesn’t mean that a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage is out of reach. Rather, it is important to compare different loan options before making a final decision.
While 30-year fixed-rate mortgages rose by more than a percentage point last week, the average 15-year fixed-rate mortgage jumped to 4.49%. That is nearly two percentage points higher than one month ago. While this increase is welcome news, the average 15-year fixed-rate mortgage rate remains a half-percentage point below its April peak. Until then, the low-interest rate environment could be a serious setback to the housing market.
An interest rate of 4.49% might seem high at first glance, but this rate jump is much more reasonable than the average rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages. While you’ll pay less in interest over the life of your loan, you’ll have to make more payments for the first 15 years, which can put a strain on your budget. But, if you’re considering a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage, keep in mind that you’re sacrificing retirement savings to pay for the loan.
While 15-year fixed-rate mortgages are not a good idea for most people, some homeowners may find them appealing. While they will require higher payments than a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, they can often build equity faster. Even though they require a shorter repayment term, they’re worth considering if your monthly payments are manageable. You should compare several lenders before making the final decision.
While rising mortgage rates are inevitable, they’re unlikely to spike dramatically over night. The rates should remain near historically low levels through the first half of the year, and then begin to increase later in the year. However, you should still take advantage of the low rates today to finance a new home or refinance your existing mortgage. Although rates will increase, they’re still favorable for new homeowners and refinancing existing mortgages.