The average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage rose to 6.73%, from 6.63% last week. This means the rate increased by 0.10 percentage points in one week. Mortgage rates went up this week, making home loans slightly more expensive for buyers.
The 30-year fixed mortgage is the most common home loan in the US. At a 6.73% rate, a $100,000 30-year fixed mortgage would cost about $647 a month in principal and interest. The average rate for a 15-year fixed mortgage also went up. It rose to 5.87% from 5.78% last week. This was an increase of 0.09 percentage points in one week, according to the Mortgage Research Center. The average rate for a 30-year fixed jumbo mortgage is now 6.80%, up from the previous week’s rate by 0.07 percentage points, according to the Mortgage Research Center, cited by Forbes. In most US areas, the 2026 conforming loan limit is $832,750. Mortgage rates have stayed relatively high in 2026, even after falling during the final months of 2025. Rates declined in the last quarter of 2025 after the Federal Reserve cut its benchmark federal funds rate in September, October and December. Earlier reporting noted: Mortgage rates today: 30-year fixed hits 6.64% — what this means for homebuyers? The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose to 6.64%, up 10 basis points from last week, according to rates from the Zillow lender marketplace. The average 15-year fixed rate also moved higher, rising two basis points to 5.88%, while the 5/1 ARM jumped 50 basis points to 6.74%, according to Yahoo Finance. Earlier reporting noted: Today’s mortgage rates remain above 6%. August 23, the national average rates are: Earlier reporting noted: Today’s Mortgage rates Today’s Mortgage rates, according to the latest Zillow data for Sunday.
So, the higher rate could affect many homebuyers. Jumbo mortgage rates also moved higher. Jumbo mortgages are loans that are larger than the standard conforming loan limit.
Mortgage rates are mostly higher today.
What could make mortgage rates fall?
Inflation is one of the key factors. If inflation starts easing, the Federal Reserve could have more room to lower interest rates. That could eventually put downward pressure on mortgage rates. The health of the US economy also matters. If economic growth weakens significantly, the Fed could cut rates to support the economy, potentially helping mortgage rates decline.
