Mortgage and refinance rates today: June 19, 2023

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Mortgage rates rose steadily through most of May, but calmed down a bit in June. Average 30-year mortgage rates rose about 7% at the end of last month, but have eased since then and have been hovering around 6.50% so far this month.

The Federal Reserve met last week and decided to halt its hikes in the federal funds rate – previously, the Fed raised rates at its last 10 meetings over a 15-month period. The Fed rate pause can be beneficial for mortgage rates. However, the Fed is somewhat likely to raise interest rates again at its July meeting, according to CME FedWatch tool.

If the Fed raises rates again, we likely won’t see a significant drop in mortgage rates for a while.

Mortgage rates today

Mortgage type Average price of the day
This information was provided by Zillow. See more mortgage rates on Zillow

Mortgage refinance rates today

Mortgage type Average price of the day
This information was provided by Zillow. See more mortgage rates on Zillow

Mortgage calculator

Use our free mortgage calculator to see how today’s mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments.

By plugging in different time periods and different interest rates, you’ll see how your monthly payment can change.

Fixed rates 30 year mortgage

The average 30-year fixed rate mortgage is currently 6.69%, according to Freddie Mac. This represents a decrease of two points from the previous week.

A 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is the most popular type of home loan. With this type of mortgage, you’ll pay back what you borrowed over the course of 30 years, and your interest rate won’t change for the life of the loan.

The 30-year long term allows you to spread your payments over a long period of time, which means you can keep your monthly payments lower and more manageable. The trade off is that you will have a higher rate than you would with shorter terms or adjustable rates.

Fixed rates mortgage for 15 years

The average 15-year fixed rate mortgage is currently 6.10%, according to data from Freddie Mac. This is an increase of three basis points from the previous week.

If you want the predictability that comes with a fixed rate but are looking to spend less on interest over the life of your loan, a 15-year fixed rate mortgage might be right for you. Because these terms are shorter and have lower rates than 30-year fixed-rate mortgages, you can potentially save tens of thousands of dollars in interest. However, you will get a higher monthly payment than you would in the long run.

Are mortgage rates going up?

Mortgage rates started to rise from historical lows in the second half of 2021 and increased significantly in 2022. But mortgage rates are expected to decline this year.

In the past 12 months, the consumer price index has increased by 4%. Inflation is still high, but it’s starting to slow, which is a good indicator for mortgage rates and the broader economy.

For homeowners looking to leverage the value of their home to cover a major purchase — such as a home renovation — a home equity line of credit (HELOC) may be a good option while we wait for mortgage rates to ease. Check out some of our top HELOC lenders to start your search for the right loan for you.

HELOC is a line of credit that allows you to borrow against the equity in your home. It works similar to a credit card where you borrow what you need instead of getting the full amount you borrow in a lump sum. It also allows you to take advantage of the money you have in your home without replacing your entire mortgage, as you would with a cash refinance.

Current HELOC rates are relatively low compared to other loan options, including credit cards and personal loans.

How does an increase in federal interest rates affect mortgages?

The Federal Reserve has been increasing the federal funds rate in an effort to slow economic growth and control inflation.

Mortgage rates are not directly affected by changes to the federal funds rate, but they often trend up or down prior to the Fed’s policy moves. This is because mortgage rates change based on investor demand for mortgage-backed securities, and that demand is often affected by the way investors expect Fed hikes to affect the broader economy.

As inflation begins to fall, mortgage rates should fall, too. But the Fed has indicated that it is watching for persistent signs of slowing inflation, and won’t cut rates again anytime soon – it may even raise rates again at its July meeting.

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