Still time to save: Today’s 30-year mortgage refinance rates dip further below 5% | August 5, 2022

30-year rates have been below 5% for four days this past week – homeowners looking for a longer repayment term may want to act sooner rather than later.

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Check out the mortgage refinancing rates for August 5, 2022, which are mixed from yesterday. (Credible)

Based on data compiled by Credible, mortgage refinance rates are mixed since yesterday, with two rates falling, one rising, and a fourth holding steady.

Rates last updated on August 5, 2022. These rates are based on the assumptions shown here.

If you’re thinking of doing a cash-out refinance or refinancing your home mortgage to lower your interest rate, consider using Credible. Credible's free online tool will let you compare rates from multiple mortgage lenders. You can see prequalified rates in as little as three minutes.

What this means: Rates for a 30-year refinance edged down today, bringing this popular term further below the 5% mark. Meanwhile, 20-year rates held steady, and 10-year rates surged to hit 4.750%. Homeowners who can manage higher monthly payments may want to consider 15-year rates – at 4.5%, they’re currently the lowest available. With rates for all repayment terms below 5%, homeowners who have been waiting to refinance might consider locking in a rate today. Homeowners who want to make home improvements can save more on interest with a cash-out refinance than they would by funding those improvements with credit cards or personal loans.

WHAT IS CASH-OUT REFINANCING AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

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.

If you’re ready to take advantage of current mortgage refinance rates that are below average historical lows, you can use Credible to check rates from multiple lenders.

How to get your lowest mortgage refinance rate

If you’re interested in refinancing your mortgage, improving your credit score and paying down any other debt could secure you a lower rate. It’s also a good idea to compare rates from different lenders if you're hoping to refinance, so you can find the best rate for your situation.

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, according to research from Freddie Mac.

Be sure to shop around and compare current mortgage rates from multiple mortgage lenders if you decide to refinance your mortgage. You can do this easily with Credible's free online tool and see your prequalified rates in only three minutes.

How does Credible calculate refinance rates?

Changing economic conditions, central bank policy decisions, investor sentiment, and other factors influence the movement of mortgage refinance rates. Credible average 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 refinance rates reported here will only give you an idea of current average rates. The rate you receive can vary based on a number of factors.

Think it might be the right time to refinance? Be sure to shop around and compare rates with multiple mortgage lenders. You can do this easily with Credible and see your prequalified rates in only three minutes.

Can you negotiate refinance rates?

Negotiation is often possible in real estate transactions, and you may be able to work with your lender to negotiate a lower refinance rate.

Having a good to excellent credit score, low debt-to-income ratio, and good income may help in negotiations. Being open to compromise may also help. For example, your lender may agree to a lower interest rate if you’re willing to pay mortgage discount points upfront.

The best way to ensure you get the lowest possible interest rate is to compare rates and loans from multiple mortgage lenders.

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.