Today's Mortgage and Refinance Rates: July 19, 2023 | Rates Remain Low After Spiking Earlier This Month

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Mortgage rates rose throughout the first half of July, but they've since dropped a bit and have remained relatively flat over the past few days. Currently, 30-year mortgage rates are down around 12 basis points compared to last week's average.

Rates initially spiked in response to strong labor market data. Investors have been watching both inflation and the labor market to try to predict whether the Federal Reserve will continue hiking rates this year. So when the latest jobs report showed that the labor market is still growing, albeit at a slower pace, markets started pricing in expectations of more Fed hikes. This put upward pressure on mortgage rates. 

But when June's Consumer Price Index data was released later in the month, mortgage rates fell a bit in response to slowing inflation. It's likely that rates will stay close to their current levels for the next month or so, barring any surprises from the Fed at its meeting next week.

Mortgage Rates Today

Mortgage Refinance Rates Today

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Use our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments.

By plugging in different term lengths and interest rates, you'll see how your monthly payment could change.

30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is currently 6.96%, according to Freddie Mac. This is a 15-basis-point increase from the week before.

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 6.3% right now, according to Freddie Mac data. This is a 6-basis-point increase from the previous week.

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.

Are Mortgage Rates Going Up?

Mortgage rates started ticking up from historic lows in the second half of 2021 and increased significantly in 2022. But mortgage rates are expected to trend down this year.

In the last 12 months, the Consumer Price Index rose by 3%. This is a dramatic slowdown compared to recent months, and a sign that mortgage rates will likely start falling soon.

For homeowners looking to leverage their home's value to cover a big purchase — such as a home renovation — a home equity line of credit (HELOC) may be a good option while we wait for mortgage rates to ease. Check out some of our best HELOC lenders to start your search for the right loan for you.

A HELOC is a line of credit that lets you borrow against the equity in your home. It works similarly to a credit card in that you borrow what you need rather than getting the full amount you're borrowing in a lump sum. It also lets you tap into the money you have in your home without replacing your entire mortgage, like you'd do with a cash-out refinance.

Current HELOC rates are relatively low compared to other loan options, including credit cards and personal loans. 

How Do Fed Rate Hikes Affect Mortgages?

The Fed has been increasing the federal funds rate to try to slow economic growth and get inflation under control.

Mortgage rates aren't directly impacted by changes to the federal funds rate, but they often trend up or down ahead of Fed policy moves. This is because mortgage rates change based on investor demand for mortgage-backed securities, and this demand is often impacted by how investors expect Fed hikes to affect the broader economy. 

As inflation comes down, mortgage rates should, too. But the Fed has indicated that it's watching for sustained signs of slowing inflation, and it's not going to lower rates again any time soon — it may even increase rates again in its July meeting.