Darryl Linnington

Published On: August 9, 2026
30-Year Fixed
6.69%

15-Year Fixed
6.01%

5/1 ARM APR
6.25%
Source: Bankrate (780 FICO, single-family, primary residence)

Mortgage rates today held the 30-year fixed at 6.69%, unchanged from yesterday’s 6.69%. The 15-year fixed sits at 6.01% and the 5/1 ARM at 6.25%, with the 30-year still inside its 30-day range of 6.41% to 6.72%.

30-Year Fixed Rate Trend

Daily 30-year fixed from Optimal Blue (OBMMI) via FRED

6.69%

Flat 0.00% from 6.69%

5.75%

6.00%

6.25%

6.50%

6.75%

7.00%

May 25Sep 25Jan 26Apr 26Aug 26
52-Week High

6.92% (May 23, 2025)
52-Week Low

5.90% (Feb 27, 2026)
Current

6.69%

Mortgage Rates Today: What’s Trending

6.69% is where mortgage rates today sit, flat against yesterday’s print. Buyers still disagree on whether to lock now or wait out competition for listings. On a $400,000 loan, principal and interest runs $2,578 a month at this rate. For many shoppers, that number is the line between bidding and waiting.

Mortgage rates today in context

A year ago, the 30-year averaged 6.63%. Two straight days at the same level are unusual for this summer’s market. The pause gives buyers a window to plan instead of reacting to daily rate swings.

What to do right now

If you close within 45 days, use this flat stretch to shop lenders hard and lock in fee quotes. Longer timelines still carry risk, so get pre-approved now and check pricing weekly. Waiting for a big summer drop is a long-odds bet this year.

Rate Outlook
6.69%
30-yr fixed
+0.07
7 days

+0.19
30 days

Market direction
Rising

Rates falling
Rates rising


Compare personalized rates from multiple lenders

Where Mortgage Rates Today Are Headed

Rates have climbed steadily this month, moving from 6.41% to yesterday’s 6.69%. That 28-basis-point run is the sharpest stretch of the past 30 days. Sustained buying pressure has driven this month’s climb higher.

Catalysts for mortgage rates today

The 10-year Treasury yield sets the floor under mortgage pricing, and lenders price loans off the spread above it. When investors demand more yield to hold mortgage-backed securities, that spread widens and your rate rises. Sticky inflation expectations keep that spread stretched right now.

What is most likely from here

The next move for mortgage rates today hinges on two things. A move lower needs a soft inflation print or a rally in Treasurys. Absent that, expect rates to hold near 6.69% or drift higher, and locking now protects against further upside.

Mortgage Rates Today: Rate Comparison

30-Year Fixed
6.69%

15-Year Fixed
6.01%

5/1 ARM APR
6.25%

Lower is better. Rates updated daily from market data.

News Moving Mortgage Rates Today

The Fed holds its benchmark rate at 3.50%–3.75%, and that stance still sets the floor under Treasury yields. Mortgage rates track the 10-year yield, and that yield stays elevated while inflation runs above target. Core PCE sits at 3.3%, core CPI at 2.8%, and unemployment at 4.1%. Neither reading gives the Fed room to cut soon, so your 6.69% rate has little relief in sight.

What’s moving mortgage rates today

Watch September 4 for the next jobs report and August 12 for the Consumer Price Index report for July. A weak jobs number would push yields down and pull mortgage rates lower with them. A hot CPI print does the opposite: it locks in higher-for-longer and pressures your rate upward. The next Fed meeting lands September 16, and the PCE report due August 25 will shape what officials say at that meeting.

What Mortgage Rates Today Mean for Homebuyers

Mortgage rates today put a $400,000 loan at 6.69%, running $2,578 a month in principal and interest. One year ago, the 30-year averaged 6.63%, pricing that same loan at $2,563. That swing adds up to $16 more per month, or $191 a year.

Lock or float at mortgage rates today

Lock if your closing falls within 45 days: a stray inflation print can move pricing overnight. Float if you have 60 or more days and expect softer data before you close. Either way, ask for a float-down option: lock now, drop later if pricing improves, for a small fee.

Smart shopping moves

Recalibrate your price target at 6.69%, since sub-5% math from a few years back no longer applies. Stress-test any offer at 6.69% and at 6.94%, where that same loan runs $2,645 a month. Shop at least three lenders, ask for a 2% seller concession, or negotiate a temporary buydown that trims your rate a point in year one.

Mortgage Rates Today: Monthly Payment Estimates

Home Price 3% Down 10% Down 20% Down
$300K $1,876 $1,740 $1,547
$400K $2,501 $2,321 $2,063
$500K $3,126 $2,901 $2,578

Principal and interest only. Does not include taxes, insurance, or PMI.

Mortgage Rates Today for First-Time Homebuyers

A $300,000 purchase with 5% down leaves you a $285,000 loan. At 6.69%, principal and interest comes to $1,837 a month. Add taxes, insurance, and PMI, and your full payment likely tops $2,800, a stretch on a modest income.

First-time buyers and mortgage rates today

FHA loans need 3.5% down with a credit score of 580 or higher. Eligible veterans can get a VA loan with zero down, and USDA loans offer zero down in rural areas. State housing finance agencies often price rates 0.25% to 0.75% below market and layer in down-payment grants.

How to compete and win

A pre-qualification is a quick estimate; a full underwriting pre-approval verifies your income, assets, and credit, and sellers take it seriously. In a multiple-offer situation, that difference can decide who wins. The right home at the right price often matters more than waiting for a perfect rate.

Affordability Snapshot

Based on $100K income at 6.69% rate

$330K
Max Home Price ($100K income)

Stretched
Affordability

What Mortgage Rates Today Mean for Refinancers

Anyone who purchased between 2022 and early 2024 at rates above 7% has a real opportunity. On a $350,000 balance, refinancing from 7.25% to 6.69% cuts your payment from $2,388 to $2,256. That saves $131 a month, or $47,327 over the life of the loan.

Refinancing at mortgage rates today

Closing costs run $3,000 to $6,000, and at $131 in savings, the $3,000 tier recovers in about 23 months. The $6,000 tier takes about 46 months to recoup. Shop aggressively: lender rates can vary 0.25% to 0.50% on the same day.

Cash-out versus rate-and-term

Cash-out refinancing to pay off high-interest credit-card debt makes strong financial sense. Swapping a 20% card rate for 6.69% on your mortgage is compelling math. Using that cash for discretionary spending calls for more caution. If you’re still paying above 7%, rate-and-term refinancing is worth pursuing this summer.

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Monthly Payment Breakdown

$350K home at 6.69% with 10% down

Principal & Interest:$2,031

Property Tax:$350

Home Insurance:$150

PMI (10% down):$144

Estimated Total Monthly Payment
$2,675

Mortgage Rates Today for Real Estate Investors

Investor loans carry a surcharge above primary residence rates, typically 0.50% to 0.75%. That puts a rental purchase near 7.29% today. On a $300,000 property with 25% down, your $225,000 loan runs $1,541 a month in principal and interest.

Investors and mortgage rates today

Higher rates push rate-sensitive owner-occupants out of the bidding, which thins your competition at the courthouse steps and on the MLS. Focus on fundamentals now: gross rent multiplier, cap rate, and cash-on-cash return decide whether a deal survives this rate environment, not the sticker price.

Alternative financing options

Other financing paths exist beyond standard loans. DSCR loans, underwritten on rental income rather than your personal tax returns, price around 7.25% to 7.75% right now. For fix-and-flip work, bridge and hard money lenders run 10% to 12% short-term. Whichever route you choose, model the deal at today’s actual rate and confirm the numbers work before you sign anything.

Quick Tips by Buyer Type

First-Time Buyers
Look into FHA loans with 3.5% down payment
Move-Up Buyers
Consider timing your sale with market conditions
Refinancers
Break-even typically at 0.5-0.75% rate drop
Investors
Factor in higher rates for investment properties

15-Year vs 30-Year: Which Is Right for You?

On a $350,000 loan, the term you pick changes your entire financial life. The 30-year fixed at 6.69% runs $2,256 a month. The 15-year fixed at 6.01% runs $2,955. That gap buys you either a faster payoff or breathing room, and over the full loan term the 30-year costs $462,215 in interest against just $181,970 for the 15-year, a swing of $280,244.

Who the 15-year fits

The 15-year suits a narrower slice of buyers. If you’re later in your career, earning steadily, and sitting on real emergency savings, the higher payment won’t sink you in a bad month. At 6.01%, that shorter term is a powerful wealth-building tool: you build equity fast and walk away from interest charges years sooner.

Why most pick the 30-year

For most homebuyers, though, the 30-year is the smarter bet. A lower payment keeps cash free for retirement accounts, home repairs, or a job loss without forcing a sale. Make one extra principal payment a year and you capture much of the 15-year’s payoff speed anyway. If you’re a first-time buyer stretching your budget to close, the 30-year is almost always the more prudent choice.

15-Year vs 30-Year on a $350,000 Loan

30-Year Fixed at 6.69%
$2,256/mo
Total interest: $462,215

15-Year Fixed at 6.01%
$2,955/mo
Total interest: $181,970

15-Year saves you $280,244 in interest

Mortgage Programs & Assistance

FHA loans need just 3.5% down with a 580 credit score. Score between 500 and 579, and you need 10% down instead. Government insurance lowers lender risk, so FHA rates often run 0.2% to 0.3% below conventional, cushioning that 6.69% headline number.

VA and USDA advantages

VA and USDA loans sit even further underwater on rates, and both go underused. VA loans require zero down and skip PMI entirely, with rates typically 0.25% to 0.50% below conventional. USDA loans also require zero down in eligible rural and suburban areas, a footprint wider than most buyers assume.

State and local programs

State housing finance agencies often beat the market by 0.25% to 0.75%, plus down-payment help. Income limits frequently stretch past $120,000, catching more households than the name suggests. Before you decide 6.69% prices you out, spend an hour on your state agency’s website.

Rate Lock Tips

Rate Lock Period
Most locks last 30-60 days. Longer locks may cost more.
Float Down Option
Some lenders let you lower your rate if markets improve.
Points vs Rate
Paying points upfront can lower your rate by 0.25%.
Best Time to Lock
Lock when you’re comfortable, not waiting for perfection.

Mortgage Rates Today: The Bottom Line

Mortgage rates today held flat, with the 30-year fixed unchanged at 6.69%, zero basis points from yesterday’s 6.69%. That leaves you near the top of the 30-day range of 6.41% to 6.72%, closer to the ceiling than the floor. As a result, lock if you close within 45 days; float with a float-down beyond 60.

Mortgage rates today: your move

Homebuyers should get a formal quote today and model payments on a $400,000 loan at $2,578 a month. Meanwhile, refinancers still above 7% need to run a break-even calculation now, weighing closing costs against the monthly savings. Investors should stay disciplined on cap rates and cash flow instead of chasing a rate dip.

What to watch next

Even so, watch CPI inflation report (Aug 12) for the next catalyst on mortgage rates. A hotter inflation print pushes yields and rates higher; a cooler one gives the Fed room to ease and pulls them down. Stay in contact with your lender and make sure you understand your lock window before any key data releases.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are mortgage rates today for a 30-year fixed?

Mortgage rates today for a 30-year fixed average 6.69%. Rates vary by lender and depend on factors like credit score, down payment, and loan amount.

What are mortgage rates today for a 15-year fixed?

Mortgage rates today for a 15-year fixed average 6.01%. This shorter term typically offers lower rates but higher monthly payments.

Should I lock in mortgage rates today?

Whether to lock in mortgage rates today depends on your timeline and risk tolerance. With 30-year rates at 6.69%, consider locking if you’re closing within 30-60 days and are comfortable with current rates.

How do I get the best mortgage rates today?

To get the best mortgage rates today, compare quotes from at least 3 lenders, lock your rate when you’re comfortable, and improve your credit score before applying. With current 30-year rates at 6.69%, even a 0.25% difference saves thousands over the life of the loan.

Sources & further reading: Optimal Blue (OBMMI) via FRED, the Federal Reserve, and Freddie Mac PMMS.

30-Year Fixed
Today's rates starting at
6.69%
▲ +0.03%
30 YEAR FIXED
15-Year Fixed
Today's rates starting at
6.01%
▼ -0.03%
15 YEAR FIXED
5/1 ARM
Today's rates starting at
6.32%
5/1 ARM
Home Equity
Today's rates starting at
7.44%
▲ +0.03%
HOME EQUITY
HELOC
Today's rates starting at
7.25%
HELOC
Updated: Aug 6, 2026 · Source: Freddie Mac / FRED
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