It’s not a big enough drop to really make a difference, but mortgage interest rates are low today.
The average interest rate on a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage ticked up to 5.91% APR, a rate provided to NerdWallet by Zillow. That’s eight basis points lower than yesterday and 14 basis points lower than a week ago. (See our chart below for more details.) A basis point is one-hundredth of a percentage point.
While this wasn’t much of a move, if you’re shopping for a home or thinking about refinancing, it might be a sign to start following rates a little more closely. Even if prices aren’t necessarily going down every day, you may feel more ready to make your move if the overall trend is downward.
Average mortgage rate, last 30 days
📉 When will mortgage rates go down?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics released its February jobs report on March 6, with the number of headlines falling well short of expectations. The U.S. lost 92,000 jobs last month, compared with an expected gain of 50,000.
“This jobs report changes the calculus of the Fed meeting in a few weeks — the labor market is on uncertain footing,” says Elizabeth Renter, senior economist at NerdWallet. Central bankers at the Fed are scheduled to meet on March 17-18.
They will be tasked with balancing the employment situation with inflation. This week we’re getting two big inflation reports — the Consumer Price Index (CPI), released today, and the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE), coming Friday. The CPI held no surprises and showed that inflation held steady in February.
While central bankers will certainly be taking inflation data into account, it is already out of date. The US has since entered a new (potentially costly) war in the Middle East, and its effects on inflation, such as higher energy prices, are not yet reflected in the data. The Fed is more likely to keep rates on hold until more information is available.
If today’s rates are at least 0.5 to 0.75 percentage points lower than your current rate (and if you plan to stay in your home long enough to break even on closing costs).
With rates where they are right now, if your current rate is around 6.41% or higher you may want to start considering a refinance.
🏡 Should I start home shopping?
There is no universal “right” time to start buying – what matters is whether you can comfortably afford a mortgage at today’s rates.
🔒 Should I lock my rate?
Rate locks protect you from hikes during your loan process, and with the market forever bouncing around, the peace of mind can be worth it.
🤓 Nerdy reminder: Prices can change daily and even hourly. If you’re happy with your contract, it’s okay to commit.
🧐 Why is the rate I see online different from the rate I get?
In addition to market factors beyond your control, the quote you want depends on you:
Even Two people with the same credit score Depending on their overall financial profiles, different rates may be available.
👀 If I apply now, can I get the rate I saw today?
Maybe – but even personalized rates Can be changed until you lock. This is because lenders adjust prices several times a day in response to market changes.
