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Today’s mortgage rates hold firm. 15-year are lowest at 5.5 percent | April 3, 2023

By Sarah Maroney
Published  April 3, 2023 4:21pm EDT
Personal Finance
Content provided by Credible, which is majority owned by Fox Corporation. Credible is solely responsible for this content and the services it provides.

Our goal here at Credible Operations, Inc., NMLS Number 1681276, referred to as "Credible" below, is to give you the tools and confidence you need to improve your finances. Although we do promote products from our partner lenders, all opinions are our own.

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Check out the mortgage rates for April 3, 2023, which are unchanged from last Friday. (Credible)

Based on data compiled by Credible, mortgage rates for home purchases have remained unchanged for three key terms while one key term fell since last Friday.

Rates last updated on April 3, 2023. 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 have held steady for 10-, 20-, and 30-year terms since last Friday. Fifteen-year rates have dropped to today’s lowest rate of 5.5%, an excellent option for homebuyers looking to save the most on interest. Borrowers who would rather have a smaller monthly payment may want to consider 20- or 30-year rates, which match at 6.125% today. 

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.

Based on data compiled by Credible, mortgage refinance rates held steady across all key terms since last Friday.

Rates last updated on April 3, 2023. 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: Mortgage refinance rates have held steady over the weekend, providing homeowners an opportunity to lock in their preferred rate from last week. Homeowners looking to maximize their savings on interest may want to consider 15-year rates, as they are today’s lowest at 5.5%. Borrowers who would prefer a smaller monthly payment might want to consider 20-year rates over 30-year rates, as they’re a quarter of a percentage point lower.

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 or refinance, 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. 

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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.

Getting a mortgage vs. renting

If you’re wondering if you should buy a house or continue renting, no single answer is right for everyone. Whether you should buy or continue renting depends on many factors, including your personal financial situation, long-term goals, preferred lifestyle, and market conditions in your area.

Buying a home does come with some distinct advantages that you can’t get from renting, including ...

  • You can build equity. Home equity can help you build long-term wealth.
  • You can personalize your living space more than with a rental that someone else owns.
  • Owning a home can provide intangible benefits like pride of ownership, a sense of community, and stability.
  • Your mortgage payment may be less than rents in your area.
  • Mortgage interest is usually tax deductible.

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.