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Homebuyers briefly got a bit of a break from falling mortgage rates earlier this year, but as they rebound affordability has fallen again to historic lows.
The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is currently 6.73%. That’s 64 basis points higher than at the start of February, according to Freddie Mac.
“Mortgage rates continue their upward trajectory as the Federal Reserve signals a more aggressive stance on monetary policy,” Sam Khater, chief economist at Freddie Mac, said in a press release. “Overall, consumers are spending in areas that are not interest rate sensitive, such as travel and restaurants. However, rate-sensitive sectors, such as housing, continue to be negatively affected. Therefore, potential buyers continue to face the combined challenges of affordability and low inventory. »
Today’s Mortgage Rates
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Today’s refinance rate
| Type of mortgage | Average rate 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.
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$1,161
Your estimated monthly payment
- pay one 25% a higher down payment would save you $8,916.08 on interest charges
- Lower the interest rate by 1% would save you $51,562.03
- Pay an extra fee $500 each month would reduce the term of the loan by 146 month
By plugging in different terms and interest rates, you’ll see how your monthly payment might change.
Projection of mortgage rates for 2023
Mortgage rates started to recover from historic lows in the second half of 2021 and increased by more than three percentage points in 2022.
But many forecasts call for a rate cut later this year. In their latest forecast, Fannie Mae researchers predicted that 30-year fixed rates will trend lower throughout 2023 and 2024.
But whether mortgage rates will fall in 2023 depends on the Federal Reserve’s ability to control inflation.
Over the past 12 months, the consumer price index has increased by 6.4%. This is only a slight slowdown from the previous month, and the Fed should take this as a sign that it still has some work to do.
If the Fed acts too aggressively and engineer a recession, mortgage rates could fall further than currently forecast. But rates are unlikely to fall to the historic lows that borrowers enjoyed a few years ago.
Should I get a HELOC? Advantages and disadvantages
If you’re looking to tap into the equity in your home, a HELOC might be the best way to do it right now. Unlike a cash-out refinance, you won’t have to get a new mortgage with a new interest rate, and you’ll likely get a better rate than with a home equity loan.
But HELOCs don’t always make sense. It is important to consider the pros and cons.
HELOC Benefits
- Only pay interest on what you borrow
- They usually have lower rates than alternatives, including home equity loans, personal loans and credit cards
- If you have a lot of equity, you could potentially borrow more than you could get with a personal loan.
Against HELOC
- Rates are variable, which means your monthly payments could go up
- Withdrawing equity from your home can be risky if the value of the property drops or you fail to repay the loan
- The minimum withdrawal amount may be more than you wish to borrow
When will house prices go down?
House prices are starting to drop, but we probably won’t see huge drops, even in a recession.
The S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index shows that prices are still up year over year, although they have fallen on a monthly basis. Fannie Mae researchers predict a 4.2% drop in prices in 2023, while the Mortgage Bankers Association predicts a 0.6% drop in 2023 and a 1.4% drop in 2024.
Skyrocketing mortgage rates have pushed many hopeful buyers out of the market, slowing demand for home purchases and putting downward pressure on home prices. But rates could start to come down this year, taking some of that pressure off. The current supply of homes is also historically low, which will likely prevent prices from falling too far.
What happens to house prices in a recession?
House prices generally fall during a recession, but not always. When this happens, it’s usually because fewer people can afford to buy homes and weak demand forces sellers to lower their prices.
How much mortgage can I afford?
A mortgage calculator can help you determine how much you can afford to borrow. Play around with different house prices and down payment amounts to see how much your monthly payment might be, and think about how that fits into your overall budget.
As a general rule, experts recommend spending no more than 28% of your gross monthly income on housing expenses. This means that your total monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, should not exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.
The lower your rate, the more you’ll be able to borrow, so shop around and get pre-approved with multiple mortgage lenders to see who can offer you the best rate. But remember not to borrow more than your budget can comfortably support.