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Today’s best mortgage deal? Look to 15-year rates to save | Oct. 25, 2022

By Chris Jennings
Published  October 25, 2022 6:31pm EDT
Personal Finance
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Check out the mortgage rates for Oct. 25, 2022, which are mixed from yesterday. (Credible)

Based on data compiled by Credible, mortgage refinance rates are mixed today, with one key rate rising, two falling, and one holding steady since yesterday.

Rates last updated on Oct. 25, 2022. 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: Thirty-year mortgage refinance rates rose a quarter point to 7.25% today. Meanwhile, 10- and 15-year rates edged down and 20-year rates held steady. Homeowners looking to refinance may want to consider shorter terms, as they’re more than three quarters of a point lower than 30-year rates. But homeowners who want a longer-term refinance should stick with 20-year rates.

Today’s mortgage rates for home purchases

Based on data compiled by Credible, mortgage rates for home purchases are mixed today, with one key rate rising, two falling, and one holding steady since yesterday.

Rates last updated on Oct. 25, 2022. 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: Rates for a 30-year mortgage climbed to 7.25% today, while 20-year rates held steady. Meanwhile, rates for 10- and 15-year terms fell slightly to 6.49%. Buyers who can swing a larger monthly mortgage payment will find the most interest savings with shorter repayment terms. Borrowers seeking more time to repay their mortgage may want to consider 20-year rates, which are now lower than 30-year rates for the first time in six weeks.

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.

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 refinance or purchase, 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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Are you looking to buy a home? Credible can help you compare current rates from multiple mortgage lenders at once in just a few minutes. Use Credible’s online tools to compare rates and get prequalified today.

Thousands of Trustpilot reviewers rate Credible "excellent."

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.

What is a good mortgage rate?

Generally, a good mortgage rate is one that’s the lowest you can qualify for based on your individual factors, such as credit history, income, other debts, down payment amount, and more.

A rate that’s good for your financial situation should result in a monthly mortgage payment that you can manage, while leaving plenty of room in your monthly budget to put toward savings, investments, and an emergency fund. And a good rate should be competitive with average rates in the geographic area where you’re looking to buy.

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. 

As a Credible authority on mortgages and personal finance, Chris Jennings has covered topics that include mortgage loans, mortgage refinancing, and more. He’s been an editor and editorial assistant in the online personal finance space for four years. His work has been featured by MSN, AOL, Yahoo Finance, and more.