Mortgage Rates Lowest in Nearly a Year

By: Matthew Graham •

Mortgage rates have been plummeting, depending on your definition of the word.  To be sure, the past 2 months have no competition in nearly 3 years.  The past few days have been special in their own right.  Whereas there was cause for concern about the new year bringing a bounce for stock prices and mortgage rates, stocks haven't done much of anything in the context of their late-2018 volatility, and mortgage rates have dropped another eighth of a percentage point (or more, depending on the lender).

There are now lenders quoting 30yr fixed rates as low as 4.375% on top tier scenarios with the average lender back to 4.5%.  That's quite a jump from the 5.125% average at the recent highs (just 2 months ago). 

There's still risk associated with the new year, however.  Tomorrow's jobs report is still a potential flashpoint for volatility.  Make sure you have a gameplan to account for positive or negative outcomes tomorrow.  Things could be happening quickly fairly early in the morning.

 See Rates from Lenders in Your Area


Loan Originator Perspective

Rates moved lower again today, despite a robust ADP employment survey.  Stocks' continued swoon and DC uncertainty are making bonds attractive.   I'm floating applications closing for all but the most risk averse clients.  -Ted Rood, Senior Originator

Today's Most Prevalent Rates

  • 30YR FIXED - 4.5%
  • FHA/VA - 4.25%
  • 15 YEAR FIXED - 4.125%
  • 5 YEAR ARMS -  4.25%-4.625% depending on the lender


Ongoing Lock/Float Considerations 

  • Headwinds that had plagued rates for most of the past 2 years are slowly dying down.  The rising rate environment could flare up again, and some headwinds remain in effect, but the broader tone has taken a more optimistic shift.

  • Highest rates in more than 7 years in Oct/Nov.  Lowest rates 8 months by the end of the year.

  • This is a bit of a crossroads.  We may look back at Oct/Nov and see a long-term ceiling, or we may look back at early December and see a temporary correction before more pain.  Either way, it's one of the more hopeful positions we've been in for several years.
  • Rates discussed refer to the most frequently-quoted, conforming, conventional 30yr fixed rate for top tier borrowers among average to well-priced lenders.  The rates generally assume little-to-no origination or discount except as noted when applicable.  Rates appearing on this page are "effective rates" that take day-to-day changes in upfront costs into consideration.