Mortgage Rates & Lenders
Compare mortgage rates, learn how each loan type works, and see which lenders stand out for conventional, FHA, VA, jumbo, ARM, and refinance needs.
30-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage
The most common home loan option. Your rate stays fixed for the full term, so your principal and interest payment remains predictable even if market rates move later.
Key Benefits
- •Lower monthly payments
- •Rate locked for entire loan term
- •Easier to qualify
- •Build equity slowly
Best For
- •First-time homebuyers
- •Those planning to stay long-term
- •Buyers seeking payment stability
- •Lower down payment budgets
Typical Requirements
Pennymac
Mortgage CompanyPurchaseThird Federal
Credit UnionPurchase
Better
Online LenderPurchase
New American Funding
Mortgage CompanyPurchaseAmeriSave
Online LenderPurchaseSoFi
Online LenderPurchaseVeterans United
Online LenderPurchaseNavy Federal Credit Union
Credit UnionPurchaseWells Fargo
Online LenderPurchaseRocket Mortgage
Mortgage CompanyPurchaseU.S. Bank
BankPurchaseDCU
Online LenderPurchaseBank of America
BankPurchaseMortgage Basics
The mortgage with the lowest advertised rate is not automatically the best fit.
What a mortgage really is
A mortgage is a home loan secured by the property itself. You repay principal plus interest over time, and your monthly bill can also include taxes, homeowners insurance, and mortgage insurance.
What changes your rate
Your quoted rate usually depends on credit score, down payment, loan size, property type, debt-to-income ratio, and whether you are buying, refinancing, or using a government-backed loan.
How to choose the right loan
Choose based on how long you expect to keep the home, how stable you want your payment to be, how much cash you have for closing, and whether you qualify for FHA or VA benefits.
Who Has The Best Rates?
A snapshot of the strongest lenders in this page's current comparison.
In our current comparison, Navy Federal posts the strongest conventional rates among the lenders shown.
A strong starting point for rate shoppers who qualify for membership and want low-rate conventional options.
In the FHA comparison on this page, Quicken Loans currently shows the lowest listed starting rate.
Worth checking if you need a low-down-payment loan and want a lender with FHA-focused products.
Veterans United remains one of the clearest VA-specialist choices for eligible military borrowers.
Best fit for borrowers who want a lender centered on VA expertise, education, and hands-on support.
In the refinance cards on this page, Navy Federal currently shows the lowest listed starting rate.
A smart quote to collect first if you qualify and want to compare payment savings against online lenders.
How to Get a Mortgage in 6 Steps
Common Mortgage Questions
Loan types compared
Rates are approximate — your actual rate depends on credit score, down payment, and lender
30-Year Fixed
Min down: 3%
~6.9%
15-Year Fixed
Min down: 3%
~6.2%
5/1 ARM
Min down: 5%
~6.2%
FHA Loan
Min down: 3.5%
~6.7%
VA Loan
Min down: 0%
~6.5%
What buyers often miss
Four things that change your total cost dramatically
Your rate vs. the headline rate
The rates you see advertised assume a 760+ credit score, 20% down, and a primary residence. Your actual rate could be 0.5–1.5% higher depending on your credit profile and loan-to-value ratio.
A 0.5% rate difference is enormous
On a $400,000 30-year mortgage, the difference between 6.5% and 7.0% is $122/month — and $43,920 in total interest over the life of the loan. Shop at least 3 lenders.
PITI — your real monthly payment
Principal + Interest + Taxes + Insurance. Lenders quote the P&I portion. Add property taxes (~1% of value/year) and homeowners insurance (~$1,200/yr) to get your true monthly cost.
PMI adds up fast
If you put down less than 20%, expect to pay PMI of 0.5–1.5% annually. On a $400,000 loan that's $2,000–$6,000/year — zero of which builds equity. Request cancellation once you hit 20%.