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Mortgage rates have dropped significantly over the past few weeks, and they finally dipped below 6% for the first time since September on Friday. A month ago, 30-year fixed rates were just above 7%.
Lower rates are welcome news to homebuyers, but mortgages are still significantly more expensive now than they were this time last year, and home prices remain high, as well. Shoppers who are waiting for the right moment to buy might have more luck waiting until the new year, when rates are expected to come down even further.
“As we move into 2023, one important thing to note is that while we are weathering a tougher market, these events are cyclical,” says Eileen Derks, senior vice president and head of mortgage at Laurel Road. “They have happened before, and they will happen again. Balance is what delivers consistency and stability in our economy. If macroeconomic balance is achieved in the next six to 12 or 18 months, I suspect we’ll see rates flatten out and likely float in the 4% to 6% range.”
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30-year fixed mortgage rates
The current average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 6.49%, according to Freddie Mac. This is a nearly 10 point decrease from the previous week.
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 5.76%, a decrease from the prior week, according to Freddie Mac data.
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.
How do Fed rate hikes affect mortgages?
The Federal Reserve has been increasing the federal funds rate this year to try to slow economic growth and get inflation under control. So far, inflation has slowed somewhat, but it’s still well above the Fed’s 2% target rate.
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 starts to come 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 stop hiking rates any time soon — though it may start opting for smaller hikes at its next few meetings.
When will mortgage rates go down?
Mortgage rates have increased dramatically so far in 2022, but there are signs that they may finally have peaked.
In October, the Consumer Price Index rose 7.7% year-over-year, a significant slowdown compared to the previous month. This is good news for mortgage borrowers and the broader economy. As inflation comes down, mortgage rates likely will, too.
But just one month of promising price data isn’t enough to say for certain that the worst of inflation is behind us. If price growth proves to be stubborn in the coming months and the Fed decides it needs to act more aggressively than it currently plans to, mortgage rates could start trending up again.
Are HELOCs a good idea right now?
Many homeowners gained a lot of equity over that past couple of years as home prices increased at an unprecedented rate. But because rates are so high now, tapping into that equity can be expensive.
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 still be a good option.
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.
Depending on your finances and the type of HELOC you get, you may be able to get a better rate with a HELOC than you would with a home equity loan or a cash-out refinance. Just keep in mind that HELOC rates are variable, so if rates start to trend up further, yours will likely increase, as well.