Current Mortgage Rates -- December 2, 2021: Rates Drop for 30- and 15-Year Loans
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Here's what mortgage rates look like now. Is it a good time to apply for a home loan?
Mortgage rates are mixed today. While the 30- and 15-year loans have come down, the 20-year loan has risen very slightly. Meanwhile, the 5/1 ARM is up quite a bit. Here's what rates look like on Dec. 2, 2021:
| Mortgage Type | Today's Interest Rate |
|---|---|
| 30-year fixed mortgage | 3.305% |
| 20-year fixed mortgage | 3.048% |
| 15-year fixed mortgage | 2.536% |
| 5/1 ARM | 3.163% |
Data source: The Ascent's national mortgage interest rate tracking.
30-year mortgage rates
The average 30-year mortgage rate today is 3.305%, down 0.013% from yesterday. At today's rate, you'll pay principal and interest of $438.00 for every $100,000 you borrow. That doesn't include added expenses like property taxes and homeowners insurance premiums.
20-year mortgage rates
The average 20-year mortgage rate today is 3.048%, up 0.001% from yesterday. At today's rate, you'll pay principal and interest of $557.00 for every $100,000 you borrow. Though your monthly payment will go up by $119.00 with a 20-year, $100,000 loan versus a 30-year loan of the same amount, you'll save $23,982.00 in interest over the course of your repayment period for every $100,000 you borrow.
15-year mortgage rates
The average 15-year mortgage rate today is 2.536%, down 0.026% from yesterday. At today's rate, you'll pay principal and interest of $668.00 for every $100,000 you borrow. Compared to the 30-year loan, your monthly payment will be $230.00 higher per $100,000 in mortgage principal. Your interest savings, however, will amount to $37,370.00 over the life of your repayment period per $100,000 of mortgage debt.
5/1 ARMs
The average 5/1 ARM rate is 3.163%, up 0.094% from yesterday. A 5/1 ARM might save you money initially compared to a 30-year fixed loan. But after your first five years of paying off your mortgage, your rate could climb. If you want the security that comes with having guaranteed mortgage payments until your home is paid off, you'll need to sign up for a fixed-rate loan -- even if that means locking in a higher interest rate initially.
Should I lock in my mortgage rate now?
A mortgage rate lock guarantees you a specific interest rate for a certain period of time -- usually 30 days, but you may be able to secure your rate for up to 60 days. You'll generally pay a fee to lock in your mortgage rate, but that way, you're protected if rates climb between now and when you close on your home loan.
If you plan to close on your home within the next 30 days, then it pays to lock in your mortgage rate based on today's rates -- especially since they're pretty attractive, historically speaking. But if your closing is more than 30 days away, you may want to choose a floating rate lock instead for what will usually be a higher fee, but one that could save you money in the long run. A floating rate lock lets you secure a lower rate on your loan if rates fall before you close on your mortgage. While today's rates are pretty low, we don't know if rates will go up or down over the next few months. As such, it pays to:
- LOCK if closing in 7 days
- LOCK if closing in 15 days
- LOCK if closing in 30 days
- FLOAT if closing in 45 days
- FLOAT if closing in 60 days
If you're ready to buy a home and need a loan to finance it, contact a bunch of lenders and see what mortgage rates and closing costs they can offer you. And if you want to increase your chances of getting a great offer, take a few steps to boost your credit score before applying. That could mean paying off some existing credit card debt or correcting errors on your credit report that may be dragging your score down.
Our Research Expert
Maurie Backman writes about current events affecting small businesses for The Ascent and The Motley Fool.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.
