Today’s mortgage and refinance rates: August 7, 2022 | Rates are going down

After months of spiking, mortgage rates have generally been falling over the past couple of weeks — though they’ve experienced some volatility. Average 30-year fixed mortgage rates dropped below 5% last week for the first time since early April.

Inflation has pushed rates up over two percentage points so far this year. The Federal Reserve has been raising the federal funds rate to try to cool inflation, though it’s so far struggled to bring price growth down. This has some economists and investors worried that the Fed may have to raise rates more aggressively, which could spark a recession if the economy slows too much. These fears have pushed rates down.

Mortgage rates today

Mortgage refinance rates today

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Use our free mortgage calculator to see how today’s interest rates will affect your monthly payments.

By clicking on “More details,” you’ll also see how much you’ll pay over the entire length of your mortgage, including how much goes toward the principal vs. interest.

30-year fixed mortgage rates

The current average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 4.99%, according to Freddie Mac. This is a decrease from last week, when it was at 5.3%, and the second week in a row this rate has gone down.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is the most common type of home loan. With this type of mortgage, you’ll pay back what you borrowed over 30 years, and your interest rate won’t change for the life of the loan.

The lengthy 30-year term allows you to spread out your payments over a long period of time, meaning you can keep your monthly payments lower and more manageable. The trade-off is that you’ll have a higher rate than you would with shorter terms or adjustable rates. 

15-year fixed mortgage rates

The average 15-year fixed mortgage rate is 4.26%, a decrease from the prior week, according to Freddie Mac data. This is the second consecutive week this rate has decreased.

If you want the predictability that comes with a fixed rate but are looking to spend less on interest over the life of your loan, a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage might be a good fit for you. Because these terms are shorter and have lower rates than 30-year fixed-rate mortgages, you could potentially save tens of thousands of dollars in interest. However, you’ll have a higher monthly payment than you would with a longer term.

5/1 adjustable mortgage rates

The average 5/1 adjustable mortgage rate is 4.25%, a slight decrease from the previous week. This is the third week in a row this rate has dropped.

Adjustable rate mortgages can look very attractive to borrowers when rates are high, because the rates on these mortgages are typically lower than fixed mortgage rates. A 5/1 ARM is a 30-year mortgage. For the first five years, you’ll have a fixed rate. After that, your rate will adjust once per year. If rates are higher when your rate adjusts, you’ll have a higher monthly payment than what you started with.

If you’re considering an ARM, make sure you understand how much your rate could go up each time it adjusts and how much it could ultimately increase over the life of the loan.

Will mortgage rates go up in 2022?

To help the US economy during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Reserve aggressively purchased assets, including mortgage-backed securities. This helped keep mortgage rates at historic lows.

However, the Fed has begun to reduce the assets it holds and is expected to increase the federal funds rate three more times in 2022, following increases in March, May, June, and July.

Mortgage rates have been volatile recently as the Fed works to get inflation under control. If prices continue to grow, mortgage rates could increase too. But if the economy starts to slow, rates could trend down.

What is a fixed-rate mortgage vs. adjustable-rate mortgage?

Historically, adjustable mortgage rates tend to be lower than 30-year fixed rates. When mortgage rates go up, ARMs can start to look like the better deal — but it depends on your situation. 

Fixed-rate mortgages lock in your rate for the entire life of your loan. Adjustable-rate mortgages lock in your rate for the first few years, then your rate goes up or down periodically.

Because adjustable rates start low, they are worthwhile options if you plan on selling your home before the interest rate changes. For instance, if you get a 7/1 ARM and want to move before the seven year fixed-rate period is up, you won’t risk paying a higher rate later.

But if you want to buy a forever home, a fixed rate could still be a better fit, since you won’t chance your rate increasing in a few years.