How can you get a good deal in a high-rate environment?

Mortgage interest rates continue to rise. According to Zillow, the national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose six basis points to 6.78%and today’s 15-year fixed rate is up three basis points 6.07%.

The economic outlook for Q1 2025 doesn’t make it look like mortgage rates are going down anytime soon, so what can you do to get the lowest rate possible?First, look for ways to improve your finances. improve your credit score, pay off debt, and save more for a down payment. shop around with several mortgage lenders. Find one that offers the type of mortgage you want, good interest rates and low fees.

Dig deeper. 5 strategies to get the lowest mortgage rate

Here are current mortgage rates according to the latest data from Zillow:

• Fixed for 30 years. 6.78%

• Fixed for 20 years. 6.55%

• Fixed for 15 years. 6.07%

• 5/1 ARM. 7.16%

• 7/1 ARM. 7.08%

• 30 year old VA. 6.20%

• 15 year VA. 5.68%

• 5/1 VA. 6.36%

Remember, these are national averages and are rounded to the nearest hundredth.

These are today’s mortgage refinance rates, according to the latest data from Zillow.

• Fixed for 30 years. 6.84%

• Fixed for 20 years. 6.66%

• Fixed for 15 years. 6.15%

• 5/1 ARM. 7.50%

• 7/1 ARM. 7.44%

• 30 year old VA. 6.13%

• 15 year VA. 5.86%

• 5/1 VA. 6.05%

Again, the figures are national averages, rounded to the nearest hundredth.Mortgage refinance rates are often higher than when you buy a home, although this is not always the case.

Read more. Is now a good time to refinance your mortgage?

Use for free Yahoo Finance Mortgage Calculator see how different mortgage terms and interest rates will affect your monthly payments.

Our calculator also takes into account factors like property taxes and homeowner’s insurance when determining your estimated monthly mortgage payment, giving you a more realistic idea of ​​your total monthly payment than if you were just looking at the mortgage principal and interest.

The average 30-year mortgage rate today is 6.78%.The 30-year term is the most popular type of mortgage because by spreading your payments over 360 months, your monthly payment is lower than with a shorter term loan.

The average 15-year mortgage rate today is 6.07% 15 year and 30 year mortgagesconsider your short-term and long-term goals.

A 15-year mortgage comes with a lower interest rate than a 30-year mortgage. This is great in the long run because you’ll pay off your loan 15 years sooner. But the tradeoff is that your monthly the payout will be higher because you pay the same amount in half the time.

Suppose you get a $300,000 mortgage. With a 30-year term and an interest rate of 6.78%, your monthly payment for principal and interest would be approx. 1952 dollarsand you would pay $402,641 Interest over that original $300,000 over the life of your loan.

If you get the same $300,000 mortgage, but with a 15-year term and an interest rate of 6.07%, your monthly payment will increase to 2543 dollars. But you would only pay $157,727 interested over the years.

A: fixed rate mortgageYour rate is locked in for the life of your loan, but you’ll get a new rate if you refinance your mortgage.

An adjustable rate mortgage keeps your rate the same for a predetermined period of time. The rate will then go up or down depending on several factors, such as the economy and the maximum amount your rate can change according to your contract. For example, with a 7/1 ARM, your rate will be closed for the first seven years and then changed annually for the remaining 23 years of your tenure.

Adjustable rates usually start at lower rates than fixed rates, but once the initial rate lock-in period ends, your rate may increase. Recently, however, some fixed rates have started lower than adjustable rates. Talk to your lender about their rates beforehand choosing one or the other.

Dig deeper. Fixed Rate vs. Adjustable Rate Mortgages

Mortgage lenders usually give the lowest mortgage rates to people with higher down payments, great or excellent credit scores, and low debt-to-income ratios.So if you want a lower interest rate, try to save more. improving your credit scoreor paying off certain debt before starting home shopping.

Waiting for interest rates to drop is probably not the best way to get the lowest mortgage rate right now, unless you’re in a hurry and don’t mind waiting until the end of 2025. If you’re ready to buy, focusing on your personal finances is probably the best way to get your rate down :

To find best mortgage lender apply for your situation mortgage pre-approval with three or four companies. Just make sure to apply them all in a short period of time. this will give you the most accurate comparisons and have less of an impact on your credit score.

Don’t just compare rates when choosing a lender mortgage annual percentage rate (APR) — this factors in the interest rate, any discount points, and fees. The APR, also expressed as a percentage, reflects the true annual cost of the loan. This is probably the most important number to look at when comparing mortgage lenders.

According to Zillow, the national average 30-year mortgage rate is 6.78%, and the average 15-year mortgage rate is 6.07%. But these are national averages, so averages may vary in your area are higher in expensive parts of the US and lower in cheaper areas.

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is currently 6.78%, according to Zillow.However, you can get a better rate with an excellent credit score, a significant down payment, and a low debt-to-income ratio (DTI).

Mortgage rates are not expected to drop dramatically in the near future, although they may drop here and there.