Buyers, get moving: 30- and 20-year mortgage rates sink to 5% | August 9, 2022

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Check out the mortgage rates for August 9, 2022, which are largely down from yesterday. (Credibile)

Based on data compiled by Credible, two key mortgage refinance rates fell, one rose, and another remained unchanged since yesterday.

30-year fixed-rate refinance: 5.500%, up from 5.375%, +0.125
20-year fixed-rate refinance: 5.000%, down from 5.250%, -0.250
15-year fixed-rate refinance: 4.750%, unchanged
10-year fixed-rate refinance: 4.625%, down from 4.750%, -0.125

Rates last updated on August 9, 2022. These rates are based on the assumptions shown here. Actual rates may vary. With 5,000 reviews, Credible maintains an "excellent" Trustpilot score.

What this means: Rates for a 30-year refinance hit 5.5% today. Meanwhile, 20-year rates fell a quarter point, and 10-year rates also fell slightly. Shorter repayment terms continue to offer the best opportunity for homeowners to save on interest, but homeowners looking to stick with a longer repayment term may want to consider refinancing to a 20-year term.

Today’s mortgage rates for home purchases

Based on data compiled by Credible, three key mortgage rates for home purchases have fallen and one remained unchanged since yesterday.

30-year fixed mortgage rates: 5.000%, down from 5.375%, -0.375
20-year fixed mortgage rates: 5.000%, down from 5.250%, -0.250
15-year fixed mortgage rates: 4.750%, unchanged
10-year fixed mortgage rates: 4.750%, down from 4.875%, -0.125

Rates last updated on August 9, 2022. These rates are based on the assumptions shown here. Actual rates may vary. Credible, a personal finance marketplace, has 5,000+ Trustpilot reviews with an average star rating of 4.7 (out of a possible 5.0).

What this means: Mortgage rates for 20- and 30-year terms fell today, giving buyers an opportunity to save on interest. After dipping well below 5% last week, mortgage rates have begun to climb again. Today’s dip in rates is an opportunity for buyers to lock in a relatively low rate ahead of likely increases in the future.

To find great mortgage rates, start by using Credible’s secured website, which can show you current mortgage rates from multiple lenders without affecting your credit score. You can also use Credible’s mortgage calculator to estimate your monthly mortgage payments.

How mortgage rates have changed over time

Today’s mortgage interest rates are well below the highest annual average rate recorded by Freddie Mac – 16.63% in 1981. A year before the COVID-19 pandemic upended economies across the world, the average interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage for 2019 was 3.94%. The average rate for 2021 was 2.96%, the lowest annual average in 30 years.

The historic drop in interest rates means homeowners who have mortgages from 2019 and older could potentially realize significant interest savings by refinancing with one of today’s lower interest rates. When considering a mortgage refinance or purchase, it’s important to take into account closing costs such as appraisal, application, origination and attorney’s fees. These factors, in addition to the interest rate and loan amount, all contribute to the cost of a mortgage.

Are you looking to buy a home? Credible can help you compare current rates from multiple mortgage lenders at once in just a few minutes. Use Credible’s online tools to compare rates and get prequalified today.

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How Credible mortgage rates are calculated

Changing economic conditions, central bank policy decisions, investor sentiment, and other factors influence the movement of mortgage rates. Credible average mortgage rates and mortgage refinance rates reported in this article are calculated based on information provided by partner lenders who pay compensation to Credible.

The rates assume a borrower has a 740 credit score and is borrowing a conventional loan for a single-family home that will be their primary residence. The rates also assume no (or very low) discount points and a down payment of 20%.

Credible mortgage rates reported here will only give you an idea of current average rates. The rate you actually receive can vary based on a number of factors.

What is a good mortgage rate?

Generally, a good mortgage rate is one that’s the lowest you can qualify for based on your individual factors, such as credit history, income, other debts, down payment amount, and more.

A rate that’s good for your financial situation should result in a monthly mortgage payment that you can manage, while leaving plenty of room in your monthly budget to put toward savings, investments, and an emergency fund. And a good rate should be competitive with average rates in the geographic area where you’re looking to buy.

If you’re trying to find the right mortgage rate, consider using Credible. You can use Credible's free online tool to easily compare multiple lenders and see prequalified rates in just a few minutes.

Have a finance-related question, but don't know who to ask? Email The Credible Money Expert at moneyexpert@credible.com 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.