<bi-shortcode id="table-of-contents-sticky" class="mceNonEditable" data-type="h2">Table of Contents: Masthead Sticky</bi-shortcode><bi-shortcode id="summary-shortcode" data-type="summary-shortcode" class="mceNonEditable" contenteditable="false">Summary List Placement</bi-shortcode><p>Today's mortgage and refinance rates are low overall, although fixed rates are significantly lower than adjustable rates. It could be a good day to lock in a historically low rate.</p><p>Mortgage rates shouldn't drastically increase until employment and inflation in the US start to steadily improve. Marvin Loh, Senior Global Macro Strategist at <a href="https://www.statestreet.com/home.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-analytics-module="body_link" data-analytics-post-depth="20" data-uri="e7cd3790b7f9e74df768ebc5c9eeca36">State Street</a>, told Insider thatrates should stay low until late summer or even fall.</p><p>So if you aren't ready to buy or refinance yet, you have a little more time to take advantage of <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/how-are-mortgage-rates-determined" target="_blank" rel="noopener">low interest rates</a>.</p><div><script async type="text/javascript" id="myFinance-widget-script">!function () {function e() {var s = "myFinance-widget-ad-script";if (!document.getElementById(s)) {var e = document.createElement("script"), n = document.getElementById("myFinance-widget-script"), a = t + "widget/myFinance.js";e.id = s, e.type = "text/javascript", e.async = !0, e.src = a, n.parentNode.insertBefore(e, n);}var c = "myFinance-widget-css";if (!document.getElementById(c)) {var d = document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0], i = document.createElement("link");i.id = c, i.rel = "stylesheet", i.type = "text/css", i.href = t + "widget/myFinance.css", i.media = "all", d.appendChild(i)}}var t = "https://static.myfinance.com/";document.attachEvent ' document.attachEvent("onreadystatechange", function () {"complete" === document.readyState && e()}) : document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", e, !1)}();</script><div class="myFinance-widget" data-widget-id="4fdd3a65-b66e-48dd-a799-11f867bc6b20" data-campaign="bi-refi-multi"></div></div><h2>How mortgage rates work</h2><p>A mortgage interest rate is the fee a lender charges for borrowing money, expressed as a percentage. For example, you get a mortgage for $300,000 with an interest rate of 2.5%.</p><p>Mortgage rates can be either <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/fixed-rate-mortgage-vs-adjustable-rate-mortgage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fixed or adjustable</a>. A fixed-rate mortgage keeps your rate the same for the entire length of your loan. An adjustable-rate mortgage locks in your rate for the first few years or so, then changes it periodically. With a 7/1 ARM, your rate would stay steady for the first seven years, then shift annually.</p><p>The longer your mortgage term, the higher your rate will be. For instance, you'll pay more on a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/30-year-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">30-year mortgage</a> than a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/15-year-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">15-year mortgage</a>. Longer terms do come with lower monthly payments, though, because you're spreading out the repayment process.</p><h2>Today's mortgage and refinance rates</h2><h3>Today's mortgage rates</h3><table style="height: 169px; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse;" border="1" cellpadding="10px"><tbody><tr style="height: 43px;"><td style="width: 15.3185%; height: 43px; text-align: center;"><strong>Mortgage type</strong></td><td style="width: 19.1401%; text-align: center; height: 43px;"><strong>Average rate today</strong></td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 15.3185%; height: 21px; text-align: center;">15-year fixed</td><td style="width: 19.1401%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">2.45%</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 15.3185%; height: 21px; text-align: center;">30-year fixed</td><td style="width: 19.1401%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">3.39%</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 15.3185%; height: 21px; text-align: center;">7/1 ARM</td><td style="width: 19.1401%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">4.0%</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 15.3185%; height: 21px; text-align: center;">10/1 ARM</td><td style="width: 19.1401%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">3.69%</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 15.3185%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">30-year FHA</td><td style="width: 19.1401%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">2.70%</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 15.3185%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">VA mortgage loan</td><td style="width: 19.1401%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">2.76%</td></tr></tbody></table><p><em data-stringify-type="italic">Conventional rates from</em><em data-stringify-type="italic"><a href="http://money.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="http://Money.com" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Money.com</a></em><em data-stringify-type="italic">; government-backed rates from RedVentures.</em></p><h3>Today's refinance rates</h3><table style="height: 170px; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse;" border="1" cellpadding="10px"><tbody><tr style="height: 43px;"><td style="width: 25.1302%; height: 43px; text-align: center;"><strong>Mortgage type</strong></td><td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: center; height: 43px;"><strong>Average rate today</strong></td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 25.1302%; height: 21px; text-align: center;">15-year fixed</td><td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">2.64%</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 25.1302%; height: 21px; text-align: center;">30-year fixed</td><td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">3.78%</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 25.1302%; height: 21px; text-align: center;">7/1 ARM</td><td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">4.45%</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 25.1302%; height: 22px; text-align: center;">10/1 ARM</td><td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: center; height: 22px;">4.27%</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 25.1302%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">30-year FHA</td><td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">2.72%</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 25.1302%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">VA mortgage loan</td><td style="width: 33.3333%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">2.78%</td></tr></tbody></table><p><em data-stringify-type="italic">Conventional rates from</em><em data-stringify-type="italic"><a href="http://money.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="http://Money.com" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Money.com</a></em><em data-stringify-type="italic">; government-backed rates from RedVentures.</em></p><h2>Mortgage and refinance rates by state</h2><p>Check the latest rates in your state at the links below.</p><p style="column-count: 3; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; margin: 0;"><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/alabama-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alabama</a><br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/alaska-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alaska</a><br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/arizona-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Arizona</a><br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/arkansas-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Arkansas</a><br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/california-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">California</a><br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/colorado-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Colorado</a><br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/connecticut-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Connecticut</a><br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/delaware-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Delaware</a><br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/florida-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Florida</a><br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/georgia-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Georgia</a><br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/hawaii-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hawaii</a><br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/idaho-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Idaho</a><br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/illinois-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Illinois</a><br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/indiana-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indiana</a><br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/how-long-to-keep-tax-records"></a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/iowa-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Iowa</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/how-long-to-keep-tax-records"> </a><br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/kansas-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kansas </a><br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/kentucky-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kentucky</a><br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/louisiana-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Louisiana</a><br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/maine-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Maine</a> <br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/maryland-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Maryland</a> <br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/massachusetts-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Massachusetts</a> <br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/michigan-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Michigan</a> <br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/minnesota-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Minnesota</a> <br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/mississippi-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mississippi</a> <br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/missouri-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Missouri</a> <br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/montana-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Montana</a> <br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/nebraska-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nebraska</a> <br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/nevada-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nevada</a> <br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/new-hampshire-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New Hampshire</a> <br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/new-jersey-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New Jersey</a> <br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/new-mexico-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New Mexico</a> <br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/new-york-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New York</a> <br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/north-carolina-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">North Carolina</a> <br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/north-dakota-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">North Dakota</a> <br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/ohio-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ohio</a> <br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/oklahoma-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oklahoma</a> <br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/oregon-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oregon</a> <br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/pennsylvania-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pennsylvania</a> <br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/rhode-island-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rhode Island</a> <br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/south-carolina-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">South Carolina</a> <br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/south-dakota-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">South Dakota</a> <br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/tennessee-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tennessee</a> <br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/utah-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Utah</a> <br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/vermont-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vermont</a> <br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/virginia-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Virginia</a> <br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/washington-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Washington</a> <br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/washington-dc-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Washington DC</a> <br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/west-virginia-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">West Virginia</a> <br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/wisconsin-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wisconsin</a> <br><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/wyoming-mortgage-rates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wyoming</a></p><h2>How to get the best mortgage rate</h2><p>Here are a few steps you can take to get the best mortgage rate possible:</p><ul><li><strong>Get a fixed-rate mortgage.</strong> You can ask your specific lender about its fixed rates vs. adjustable rates. But in general, fixed rates are starting lower than adjustable ones. Rates are also at all-time lows, so you would lock in a low rate instead of risking an increase later with an ARM.</li><li><strong>Look at your finances.</strong> The stronger your financial situation, the lower your mortgage rate should be. Look for ways to boost your <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/what-credit-score-is-needed-to-buy-a-house" target="_blank" rel="noopener">credit score</a> or lower your <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/how-to-calculate-debt-to-income-ratio" target="_blank" rel="noopener">debt-to-income ratio</a>, if necessary. Saving for a higher <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/down-payment-on-a-house" target="_blank" rel="noopener">down payment</a> also helps.</li><li><strong>Choose the right lender.</strong> Each lender charges different mortgage rates. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/best-mortgage-lenders" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Picking the right one</a> for your financial situation will help you land a good rate.</li></ul><div><div class="ca-widget" data-token="p83018dcddd4"></div><script async defer src="https://www.consumersadvocate.org/embeds/embedder.js'v=1"></script></div><h2>How to choose a mortgage lender</h2><p>First, think about what type of mortgage you want. The best mortgage lender will be different for an <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/best-lenders-for-fha-loans" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FHA mortgage</a> than for a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/best-va-mortgage-lenders" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VA mortgage</a>.</p><p>A lender should be relatively affordable. You shouldn't need a super high credit score or down payment to get a loan. You also want it to offer good rates and charge reasonable fees.</p><p>Once you're ready to start shopping for homes, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/mortgage-preapproval" target="_blank" rel="noopener">apply for preapproval</a> with your top three or four choices. A preapproval letter states that the lender would like to lend you up to a certain amount, at a specific interest rate. When you're preapproved, your mortgage rate is locked in for 60 to 90 days. With a few preapproval letters in hand, you can compare each lender's offer.</p><p>When you apply for preapproval, a lender does a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/what-is-a-hard-inquiry-credit-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hard credit inquiry</a>. A bunch of hard inquiries on your report can hurt your credit scoreunless it's for the sake of shopping for the best rate.</p><p>If you limit your rate shopping to a month or so, credit bureaus will understand that you're looking for a home and shouldn't hold each individual inquiry against you.</p><h3>About the authors</h3><p><em>Laura Grace Tarpley is an editor at Personal Finance Insider, covering mortgages, refinancing, and lending. She is also a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF). Over her five years of covering personal finance, she has written extensively about ways to navigate loans.</em></p><p><em>Ryan Wangman is a reviews fellow at Personal Finance Insider reporting on mortgages, refinancing, bank accounts, bank reviews, and loans. In his past experience writing about personal finance, he has written about credit scores, financial literacy, and homeownership.</em></p><bi-shortcode id="related-content-module" class="mceNonEditable" data-type="more-mortgage-coverage" data-sheetname="More Mortgage Coverage">Related Content Module: More Mortgage Coverage</bi-shortcode><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/mortgage-rates-today-june-5-2021-6#comments">Join the conversation about this story »</a></p>
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