Today's mortgage rates halt upward trend and fall lower | April 21, 2021

• 30-year fixed mortgage rates: 2.875%, Unchanging
• 20-year fixed mortgage rates: 2.625%, Down from 2.750%, -0.125
• 15-year fixed mortgage rates: 2.125%, Down from 2.250%, -0.125
• 10-year fixed mortgage rates: 2.000%, Unchanging

Rates last updated on April 21, 2021. These rates are based on the assumptions shown here. Actual rates may vary.

Mortgage rates for 20- and 15-year fixed moved back to record lows last seen on April 16, 2021, when rates hit a 64-day low. Meanwhile, 30-year rates continue to rest well below the 3% mark, which is down significantly from the March 2021 average of 3.033%.

• Check out mortgage refinance rates
• Compare home purchase rates

Browse rates from multiple lenders so you can make an informed decision about your home loan.

Looking at today’s mortgage refinance rates

Today’s mortgage refinance rates have fallen by almost one tenth of a percentage point since yesterday, except for 30-year rates, which have held at 3% for five straight days. Averages across all loan types dropped to 2.531%, a new 8-week low. If you’re considering refinancing an existing home, check out what refinance rates look like:

• 30-year fixed-rate refinance: 3.000%, Unchanging
• 20-year fixed-rate refinance: 2.750%, Down from 2.875%, -0.125
• 15-year fixed-rate refinance: 2.250%, Down from 2.375%, -0.125
• 10-year fixed-rate refinance: 2.125%, Down from 2.250%, -0.125

Rates last updated on April 21, 2021. These rates are based on the assumptions shown here. Actual rates may vary.

Current mortgage rates

Mortgage interest rates abandoned their upward trend and fell for the first time this week to a 2.406% average across all loan types.

Current 30-year mortgage rates

The current interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is 2.875%. This is the same as yesterday.

Current 20-year mortgage rates

The current interest rate for a 20-year fixed-rate mortgage is 2.625%. This is down from yesterday.

Current 15-year mortgage rates

The current interest rate for a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage is 2.125%. This is down from yesterday.

Current 10-year mortgage rates

The current interest rate for a 10-year fixed-rate mortgage is 2.000%. This is the same as yesterday.

Rates last updated on April 21, 2021. These rates are based on the assumptions shown here. Actual rates may vary.

How mortgage rates have changed

Today, mortgage rates are down compared to this time last week.

• 30-year fixed mortgage rates: 2.875%, down from 3.000% last week, -0.125
• 20-year fixed mortgage rates: 2.625%, down from 2.750% last week, -0.125
• 15-year fixed mortgage rates: 2.125%, down from 2.250% last week, -0.125
• 10-year fixed mortgage rates: 2.000%, the same as last week

Rates last updated on April 21, 2021. These rates are based on the assumptions shown here. Actual rates may vary.

The forecast for mortgage rates in 2021

While it’s impossible to fully predict what mortgage rates will look like in the future, experts can analyze several key indicators to predict future rate trends.

Are you wondering whether you should wait to refinance or buy a home? Take a look at what researchers at Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae think rates will look like for the rest of the year. Keep in mind the rates you actually qualify for will be determined by things like your credit score and down payment percentage in addition to current rates, so actual rates will vary.

Freddie Mac’s mortgage rate forecast

Researchers at Freddie Mac expect mortgage rates to rise slightly throughout 2021, citing the Federal Reserve’s commitment to keeping interest rates low for the foreseeable future.

Here are Freddie Mac’s predictions for how 30-year fixed rates will look for the rest of the year:

• Q2 (April to June): 2.9%
• Q3 (July to September): 3.0%
• Q4 (October to December): 3.0%

Fannie Mae’s mortgage forecast

Fannie Mae researchers anticipate mortgage rates to trend slightly higher this year, citing an ongoing rise in the 10-year Treasury yield. Ultimately, though, Fannie Mae experts believe lenders will "absorb" some of the elevated costs as "refinance demand gradually wanes" — keeping rates at relatively stable levels.

Based on rates from this January, here’s what Fannie Mae economists predict 30-year fixed rates will look like for the rest of 2021:

• Q2 (April to June): 2.8%
• Q3 (July to September): 2.9%
• Q4 (October to December): 2.9%

How to get low mortgage rates

Mortgage and refinance rates are affected by many economic factors, like unemployment numbers and inflation. But your personal financial history will also determine the rates you’re offered.

If you want to get the lowest possible monthly mortgage payment, taking the following steps can help you secure a lower rate on your home loan:

• Improving your credit score
• Paying down debt
• Making a bigger down payment

It’s also a good idea to compare rates from different lenders to find the best rate for your financial goals. According to research from Freddie Mac, borrowers can save $1,500 on average over the life of their loan by shopping for just one additional rate quote — and an average of $3,000 by comparing five rate quotes.

Mortgage interest rates by loan type

Before you fill out your mortgage application, check out these loan rates, which you’ll be able to compare by annual percentage rate (APR) as well as interest rate:

Mortgage refinance:

• 30 Year Refinance Rates
• 20 Year Refinance Rates
• 15 Year Refinance Rates
• 10 Year Refinance Rates

Home purchase:

• 30 Year Mortgage Rates
• 20 Year Mortgage Rates
• 15 Year Mortgage Rates
• 10 Year Mortgage Rates

Have a finance-related question, but don't know who to ask? Email The Credible Money Expert at [email protected] and your question might be answered by Credible in our Money Expert column.

As a Credible authority on mortgages and personal finance, Chris Jennings has covered topics that include mortgage loans, mortgage refinancing, and more. He’s been an editor and editorial assistant in the online personal finance space for four years. His work has been featured by MSN, AOL, Yahoo Finance, and more.