Higher Mortgage Rates Hurt Buyers

Higher mortgage rates in 2018, combined with a low number of homes available for sale across the U.S., are hurting buyers. Mortgage rates are higher this year because economic growth has been robust, the unemployment rate has declined, and the Federal Reserve has increased interest rates.

Last year, 30 year mortgage rates were under 4.00 percent for most of the year and finished the year just under 4.00 percent. So far this year, average 30 year mortgage rates increased about 50 basis points. The current average 30 year mortgage rate is at 4.42 percent.

Although mortgage rates are higher this year, rates are not much higher than the all-time lows. Back in 2012, average 30 year rates hit a low of 3.37 percent, about 1.00 percent lower than the current level. Looking back over the past 40 years, these rates are still incredibly low.

Loan Type

Purchase Refinance with Cash out Refinance

State

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District Of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

FICO Score

Superior (780-850) Exceptional (760-779) Excellent (740-759) Very Good (720-739) Good (700-719) Above Average (680-699) Average (660-679) Fair (640-659) Need Improvement (620-639) Poor (350-620)

Loan Amount

$

Points

Up to 0 points Up to 0.5 points Up to 1 points Up to 1.5 points Up to 2 points Up to 2.5 points Up to 3 points

LTV

%

Loan Term

 15-Year Fixed  20-Year Fixed  30-Year Fixed  5-Year ARM  7-Year ARM  10-Year ARM

Show Advertiser Disclosure

The lenders whose rates and other terms appear on this chart are ICB's advertising partners. They provide their rate information to our data partner RateUpdate.com. Unless adjusted by the consumer, advertisers are sorted by APR from lowest to highest. For any advertising partners that do not provide their rate they are listed in advertisement display units at the bottom of the chart. Advertising partners may not pay to improve the frequency priority or prominence of their display. The interest rates, annual percentage rates and other terms advertised here are estimates provided by those advertising partners based on the information you entered above and do not bind. Any lender Monthly payment amounts stated do not include amounts for taxes and insurance premiums. The actual payment obligation will be greater if taxes and insurance are included. Although our data partner RateUpdate.com collects the information from the financial institutions themselves, the accuracy of the data cannot be guaranteed. Rates may change without notice and can change intraday. Some of the information contained in the rate tables including but not limited to special marketing notes is provided directly by the lenders. Please verify the rates and offers before applying for a loan with the financial institution themselves. No rate is binding until locked by a lender.

Lender

APR / Rate

Fees / Points

Payment

NMLS #1835285

5.707%

15-Year Fixed

5.500%

$5,404

Includes 0.851 points for $3,404

Lender Fees: $2,000

$3,269 /mo

Next >

NMLS #1835285

6.620%

30-Year Fixed

6.500%

$5,000

Includes 0.750 points for $3,000

Lender Fees: $2,000

$2,529 /mo

Next >

NMLS #3030

6.658%

15-Year Fixed

6.500%

$4,000

Includes 1.000 points for $4,000

Lender Fees: $0

$3,485 /mo

Next >

NMLS #1835285

7.132%

5-Year ARM

7.000%

$5,328

Includes 0.832 points for $3,328

Lender Fees: $2,000

$2,662 /mo

Next >

NMLS #3030

7.350%

30-Year Fixed

7.250%

$4,000

Includes 1.000 points for $4,000

Lender Fees: $0

$2,729 /mo

Next >

Rate data provided by RateUpdate.com. Displayed by ICB, a division of Mortgage Research Center, NMLS #1907, Equal Housing Opportunity. Payments do not include taxes and insurance premiums. Actual payments will be greater with taxes and insurance included. Rate and product details.

About a dozen years ago, just before the Financial Crisis, 30 year rates were around 7.00 percent. Going back to the early 1980s, average 30 year rates were in the double digits hitting an all-time high of 18.45 percent during October 1981. Source: Freddie Mac.

Higher Mortgage Rates Affect Buyers

An increase in mortgage rates does have an affect on how much homebuyers can afford. As mortgage rates move higher, monthly mortgage payments also move higher. For example, on a 30 year mortgage, a 1.00 percent increase in mortgage rates will increase monthly mortgage payments by $55.82 for each $100,000 borrowed.

The monthly payment on a $500,000 mortgage loan with a 30 year rate of 3.50 percent is $2,245.22. The same $500,000 borrowed for 30 years at 4.50 percent will mean a monthly payment of $2,533.43. As you can see on a $500,000 loan, a 1 percent increase in the rate will cost $300 more per month.

You can use our mortgage calculator to calculate mortgage payments: Mortgage Calculator

Mortgage rates will continue to move higher this year because the Fed is increasing the fed funds rate. These increases will send U.S. Treasury yields higher, which in turn will send mortgage rates higher. We expect 30 year mortgage rates to increase to around 5.00 percent by the end of the year.

If you're in the market to buy a home you should lock in a mortgage rate if you haven't already. Many lenders also allow you to extended a lock in period as well. You will pay a fee for an extension but you will probably still save money with a lower mortgage rate.