Compare 30-year mortgage rates today

Mortgage news this week - May 9, 2024

Mortgage rates still over 7%, marking a three-month trend

The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage fell to 7.23 percent this week, according to Bankrate’s national survey of large lenders. Rates for 30-year mortgages — the most popular type of home loan — have hovered in the 7 percent range for several months.

Inflation remains the biggest factor determining 30-year mortgage rates. While everyone had expected the Federal Reserve to begin cutting rates by now, that hasn’t happened.  The central bank left its benchmark rate the same at its April 30-May 1 meeting, all but guaranteeing mortgage rates won’t drop dramatically anytime soon. That ongoing headwind doesn’t help buyers, yet many have still forged ahead as peak homebuying season gets underway: More homes were under contract in March, even as prices broke records, the National Association of Realtors reports.

Mortgage analyst Jeff Ostrowski covers the latest rate movement and more in our weekly update.

Learn more: Mortgage rates 1970s to present

Current mortgage and refinance interest rates

How to get the best 30-year mortgage rate

If you compare loan offers from a few mortgage lenders, you’ll have a better chance of landing a competitive rate. Here's how:

• Decide whether a 30-year mortgage rate is right for you. The 30-year term is the most popular option, but it’s far from the only one. Depending on the lender you work with, you might be able to apply for fixed-rate loans amortized over anywhere from eight to 29 years.
• Get preapproved: Get rate quotes from at least three mortgage lenders, ideally on the same day so you have an accurate basis for comparison. Lenders determine your interest rate based on your credit score, debt-to-income (DTI) ratio and other factors, including the size of your down payment.
• Compare the interest rate and APR: The interest rate and annual percentage rate (APR) reflect the cost of the loan. The interest rate is the cost to borrow the funds, while the APR includes the interest rate and other costs such as the origination fee and any points.
• Consider the lender’s ratings and your experience: Aside from the numbers, evaluate lenders for convenience and responsiveness. Take a look at what other borrowers have had to say about the lender, too.

Pros and cons of a 30-year mortgage

Pros of a 30-year mortgage

• Lower monthly payment: Repaying a mortgage over 30 years means you’ll have lower, more affordable payments spread out over time compared to shorter-term loans like 15-year mortgages.
• Stability: Having a consistent principal and interest payment helps you better map out your housing expenses for the long term. (Your overall monthly housing expenses can change, however, if your homeowners insurance and property taxes go up or down.) Of course, this is only true if your mortgage has a fixed rate. An adjustable-rate mortgage won’t give you this same benefit for the whole life of the loan.
• Buy more house: With lower payments, you might be able to qualify for a larger loan amount and afford a more expensive home.
• More financial flexibility: Lower monthly payments can provide more cushion in your budget for other goals, like saving for emergencies, retirement, college tuition or home repairs and maintenance.

Cons of a 30-year mortgage

• More total interest paid: Stretching out repayment over 30 years means you’ll wind up paying more in interest overall than you would with a shorter-term loan.
• Higher mortgage rates: Lenders usually charge higher interest rates for 30-year loans because they’re taking on the risk of not being repaid for a longer amount of time.
• Becoming house poor: Just because you might be able to afford more house with a 30-year loan doesn’t mean you should overstretch your budget. Give yourself some breathing room for other financial goals and unexpected expenses.
• Slower equity growth: It will take longer to build equity in your home because most of your initial mortgage payments will go towards interest rather than paying down your principal amount.

30-year mortgage FAQ

Meet our Bankrate experts

Written by: Jeff Ostrowski, Principal Reporter, Mortgages

I cover mortgages and the housing market. Before joining Bankrate in 2020, I spent more than 20 years writing about real estate and the economy for the Palm Beach Post and the South Florida Business Journal. I’ve had a front-row seat for two housing booms and a housing bust. I’ve twice won gold awards from the National Association of Real Estate Editors, and since 2017 I’ve served on the nonprofit’s board of directors.

Read more from Jeff Ostrowski

Edited by: Suzanne De Vita, Senior Editor, Home Lending

I’ve covered the housing market, mortgages and real estate for the past 12 years. At Bankrate, my areas of focus include first-time homebuyers and mortgage rate trends, and I’m especially interested in the housing needs of baby boomers. In the past, I’ve reported on market indicators like home sales and supply, as well as the real estate brokerage business. My work has been recognized by the National Association of Real Estate Editors.

Read more from Suzanne De Vita

Reviewed by: Greg McBride, CFA, Chief Financial Analyst, Bankrate

Greg McBride is a CFA charterholder with more than a quarter-century of experience in personal finance, including consumer lending prior to coming to Bankrate. Through Bankrate.com's Money Makeover series, he helped consumers plan for retirement, manage debt and develop appropriate investment allocations. He is an accomplished public speaker, has served as a Wall Street Journal Expert Panelist and served on boards in the credit counseling industry for more than a decade and the funding board of the Rose Foundation’s Consumer Financial Education Fund.

Read more from Greg McBride