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Compare Current 30-Year Refinance Rates

 1 year ago
source link: https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/30-year-refinance-rates
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Compare Current 30-year Refinance Rates

Mar 23, 2023, 9:24 PM
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Our experts answer readers' home-buying questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess mortgages). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own.

For borrowers considering a refinance, getting a good mortgage rate is vital. Refinancing your mortgage isn't cheap, but getting a low rate can help you earn back what you spend, in addition to freeing up space in your monthly budget for other financial goals.

The exact rates available to you will depend on your individual financial situation as well as what the mortgage lenders you apply with can offer you. To ensure you're getting a good deal, check out today's average 30-year refinance rates.

Current 30-year refinance rates

Mortgage rates increased significantly in February and early March, but they've since dropped somewhat. In March, 30-year refinance rates averaged around 6.56%, according to Zillow data.

Fortunately for borrowers, rates are expected to drop somewhat this year as inflation slows and the Federal Reserve is able to pull back from its aggressive hikes to the federal funds rate

Compare today's 30-year refinance rates

See how the latest 30-year refinance rates compare to other types of mortgage refinance loans.

Mortgage type Average rate today
This information has been provided by Zillow. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on Zillow

Pros and cons: 30-year fixed-rate refinance

  • Lower monthly payments. If you have less than 30 years left on your current mortgage, you could potentially lower your monthly mortgage payment by a significant amount when you refinance into a 30-year term.
  • Predictable payments. Unlike adjustable-rate mortgages, fixed-rate mortgages keep your rate the same for the entire life of the loan, meaning your monthly payment won't change (other than adjustments for taxes or insurance).
  • Flexibility. If you want a shorter term but aren't sure you can handle a higher monthly payment, you can always get a 30-year refinance and treat it like a shorter-term mortgage. This way you can pay more toward your principal when you have extra cash, but you'll still have a lower payment just in case you need to use that money elsewhere. 

"Almost all 30-years can be paid off early, and any additional payments you make over your monthly obligation can be directed toward principal only," says Shawn O'Regan, a real estate broker and owner of Vee Real Estate Brokers in Raleigh, North Carolina. "So you can quickly reduce you loan balance and interest, since interest is calculated monthly based on the remaining balance."

  • Higher rates. Longer mortgage terms come with higher interest rates than shorter terms.
  • Pay more in interest. The longer it takes you to pay off your mortgage, the more you'll pay in interest. If you're refinancing from a shorter term into a 30-year mortgage, you'll probably be significantly increasing the amount you'll pay over the life of the loan.

Is it a good time to refinance into a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage?

Whether or not it's a good time to refinance depends on your current rate and if it's higher or lower than today's average rates. 

For most borrowers, now probably isn't an ideal time to refinance. Many homeowners already have mortgage rates that are significantly lower than current rates, so refinancing likely wouldn't save them any money. 

Should I get a 30-year fixed-rate refinance?

If you're considering a refinance, it's important to think about your goals.

Typically, homeowners refinance when they want to decrease their monthly payment, lower their interest rate, or take cash out of their home. But doing so is only worth it if the benefits outweigh the costs.

Because you'll pay closing costs, it can cost a couple thousand dollars or more to refinance. If you plan to move soon or you can't get a lower rate, it could be difficult or impossible for you to recoup the cost of refinancing.

How to find a low 30-year refinance rate

You don't necessarily need to work with your current lender when you refinance. The best thing you can do to ensure you get a low refinance rate is get preapproved with at least two or three mortgage lenders to compare offers. 

Additionally, if you have room to improve your credit, doing things like paying down debt can help boost your score and get you a better rate.

Mortgage calculator

Use Insider's free mortgage calculator to see how a lower rate could impact your monthly payment.

Mortgage Calculator
Home Price
Down payment
Length of loan (years)
Interest rate %
$1,161 Your estimated monthly payment
More details Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.
Total paid$418,177
Principal paid$275,520
Interest paid$42,657
Ways you can save:
  • Paying a 25% higher down payment would save you $8,916.08 on interest charges
  • Lowering the interest rate by 1% would save you $51,562.03
  • Paying an additional $500 each month would reduce the loan length by 146 months

Frequently asked questions about 30-year refinances

What is the 30-year refinance rate today? Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

Mortgage rates fluctuate from day to day, and even hour to hour. To see the most up-to-date 30-year refinance rates, scroll up to "Compare today's 30-year refinance rates." 

Is it a good time to refinance a house? Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

Refinance rates are still relatively high, so now might not be the best time to refinance, especially if you currently have a low rate. If you're hoping to refinance soon, you might have better luck later this year, when rates are expected to drop. 

What is happening to 30-year mortgage rates? Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

Average 30-year mortgage rates were relatively low in January, but they've since started trending back up. Rates are expected to fall this year, though we likely won't see lower rates until later in 2023.

Mortgage Reporter
Molly Grace is a reporter at Insider. She covers mortgage rates, refinance rates, lender reviews, and homebuying articles for Personal Finance Insider. Before joining the Insider team, Molly was a blog writer for Rocket Companies, where she wrote educational articles about mortgages, homebuying, and homeownership. You can reach Molly at [email protected], or on Twitter @mollythegrace.
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Jr Compliance Associate
Elias Shaya is a junior compliance associate on the Personal Finance Insider team based in New York City. Personal Finance Insider is Insider's personal finance section that incorporates affiliate and commerce partnerships into the news, insights, and advice about money that readers already know and love. The compliance team's mission is to provide readers with stories that are fact-checked and current, so they can make informed financial decisions. The team also works to minimize risk for partners by making sure language is clear, precise, and fully compliant with regulatory and partner marketing guidelines that align with the editorial team. Elias is the point person for the loans sub-vertical and works with the editorial team to ensure that all rates and information for personal and student loans are up to date and accurate. He joined Insider in February 2022 as a fellow on the compliance team. Elias has a Bachelor of Science in International Business from the CUNY College of Staten Island. Prior to joining Insider, he volunteered at the New York Presbyterian Hospital, where he worked with the biomedical engineering department. In his spare time, Elias enjoys exploring new restaurants, traveling to visit his family in Lebanon, and spending time with friends.
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