Current Mortgage Rates -- November 18, 2021: All Rates Are Higher Today

Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures our experts’ opinions aren’t influenced by compensation. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.

If you're thinking of getting a mortgage, here's what you need to know about how rates are trending.

Mortgage rates are higher today across the board. Here's what they look like on Nov. 18, 2021:

Mortgage Type Today's Interest Rate
30-year fixed mortgage 3.307%
20-year fixed mortgage 3.009%
15-year fixed mortgage 2.545%
5/1 ARM 3.042%

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

30-year mortgage rates

The average 30-year mortgage rate today is 3.307%, up 0.020% from yesterday. At today's rate, you'll pay principal and interest of $439.00 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 3.009%, up 0.024% from yesterday. At today's rate, you'll pay principal and interest of $555.00 for every $100,000 you borrow. Though your monthly payment will go up by $116.00 with a 20-year, $100,000 loan versus a 30-year loan of the same amount, you'll save $24,654.00 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 2.545%, up 0.015% from yesterday. At today's rate, you'll pay principal and interest of $669.00 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 $37,506.00 over the life of your repayment period per $100,000 of mortgage debt.

5/1 ARMs

The average 5/1 ARM rate is 3.042%, up 0.107% from yesterday. A 5/1 ARM may appeal to you because it'll allow you to lock in a lower interest rate than a 30-year fixed loan, at least initially. But once you're past the first five years of your repayment period, your loan's interest rate could climb. Make sure that's a risk you're willing to take in exchange for some initial savings.

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 apply for a home loan, shop around with different mortgage lenders before accepting an offer. It may be that one lender gives you a better rate or lower closing costs to finalize your mortgage, so get a few quotes before making a final decision.

Alert: our top-rated cash back card now has 0% intro APR until 2025

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a lengthy 0% intro APR period, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee! Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

Our Research Expert

Related Articles

View All Articles Learn More Link Arrow