Current Mortgage Rates -- July 8, 2021: Fixed Rates Drop

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Is now a good time to get a mortgage? Knowing what today's rates look like should help you decide.

Mortgage rates are lower today for fixed loans. Here's what they look like on July 8, 2021:

Mortgage Type Today's Interest Rate
30-year fixed mortgage 3.129%
20-year fixed mortgage 2.894%
15-year fixed mortgage 2.426%
5/1 ARM 3.051%

Data source: The Ascent's national mortgage interest rate tracking.

30-year mortgage rates

The average 30-year mortgage rate today is 3.129%, down 0.014% from yesterday. At today's rate, you'll pay principal and interest of $429.00 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 2.894%, down 0.036% from yesterday. At today's rate, you'll pay principal and interest of $549.00 for every $100,000 you borrow. Though your monthly payment will go up by $120.00 with a 20-year, $100,000 loan versus a 30-year loan of the same amount, you'll save $22,542.00 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 2.426%, down 0.005% from yesterday. At today's rate, you'll pay principal and interest of $663.00 for every $100,000 you borrow. Compared to the 30-year loan, your monthly payment will be $234.00 higher per $100,000 in mortgage principal. Your interest savings, however, will amount to $34,972.00 over the life of your repayment period per $100,000 of mortgage debt.

5/1 ARMs

The average 5/1 ARM rate is 3.051%, up 0.199% from yesterday. With a 5/1 ARM, your interest rate is only guaranteed for five years. Beyond that point, it has the potential to rise or fall with market conditions. Clearly, having your rate drop over time would be a good thing, but the opposite often happens -- borrowers sign up for an ARM only to see their rate climb over time. If you're buying a starter home you plan to move on from in a few years, then an ARM could be a smart bet. But if you're buying your forever home, you may want to lock in a fixed-rate loan, especially with mortgage rates being so competitive right now. In fact, you can actually secure a lower rate if you opt for a 15- or 20-year mortgage.

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 very 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 apply for a mortgage, get in touch with a few different lenders to see what rates they have to offer. And if you want help in that regard, consider working with a mortgage broker, who can solicit offers on your behalf. Comparing rates is an important thing to do before signing up for a home loan, so don't skip that step.

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