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The rate on a 30-year fixed refinance inched up today.
The current 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage refinance rate is averaging 7.80%, according to Curinos, while 15-year, fixed-rate refinance mortgages average of 7.02%. For 20-year mortgage refinances, the average rate is 7.65%.
Related: Compare Current Refinance Rates
Refinance Rates for November 28, 2023
30-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage Refinance Rates
The average rate for the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage refinance rose to 7.80% from yesterday. Last week, the 30-year fixed was 7.86%.
The APR, or annual percentage rate, on a 30-year fixed is 7.87%. This time last week, it was 7.93%. APR is the all-in cost of your loan.
According to the London Reviews mortgage calculator, homebuyers with a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage refi of $100,000 will pay $720 per month in principal and interest (not accounting for taxes and fees) at the current interest rate of 7.80%. You’d pay around $159,253 in total interest over the life of the loan.
20-Year Refinance Rates
For a 20-year fixed refinance mortgage, the average interest rate is currently 7.65% compared to 7.65% at this time last week.
The APR, or annual percentage rate, on a 20-year fixed mortgage is 7.72%. That compares to 7.71% at the same time last week.
At today’s interest rate of 7.65%, a 20-year, fixed-rate mortgage refinance of $100,000 would cost $815 per month in principal and interest—not including taxes and fees. That would equal about $95,609 in total interest over the life of the loan.
15-Year Fixed Refinance Rates
For a 15-year fixed refinance mortgage, the average interest rate is currently 7.02% compared to 7.04% at this time last week.
The APR, or annual percentage rate, on a 15-year fixed mortgage is 7.01%. That compares to 7.03% at this time last week.
Using the current interest rate of 7.02%, a 15-year, fixed-rate mortgage refinance of $100,000 would cost $900 per month in principal and interest—not including taxes and fees. That would equal about $62,000 in total interest over the life of the loan.
30-Year Jumbo Mortgage Refinance Rates
The average interest rate on the 30-year fixed-rate jumbo mortgage refinance is 7.83%. Last week, the average rate was 7.85%.
Borrowers with a 30-year fixed-rate jumbo mortgage refinance with today’s interest rate of 7.83% will pay $722 per month in principal and interest per $100,000.
15-Year Jumbo Mortgage Refinance Rates
A 15-year, fixed-rate jumbo mortgage refinance is 7.44%, on average, compared to the average of 7.45% last week.
At today’s interest rate of 7.44%, a borrower with a 15-year, fixed-rate jumbo refinance would pay $6,926 per month in principal and interest on a $750,000 loan. Over the life of the loan, that borrower would pay around $496,638 in total interest.
Are Refinance Rates and Mortgage Rates the Same?
No, mortgage refinance rates are typically higher than purchase loan rates due to additional risk for the lender. Cash-out refinance rates are also higher than a standard rate-and-term refinance as you are increasing your loan balance by tapping your equity.
The application process for refinancing a mortgage is similar to getting a home purchase loan regarding the required paperwork and home appraisal. Additionally, similar closing costs from 2% to 6% of the loan amount apply, which is an extra expense.
When you refinance, your new rate is based on current refinance rates and your loan term. This rate replaces your existing mortgage repayment terms.
When Refinancing Makes Sense
There are lots of good reasons to refinance your mortgage, but for most homeowners, it comes down to lowering the interest rate, reducing monthly payments or paying off the loan more quickly. Refinancing can also allow you to tap some of your home’s equity or eliminate private mortgage insurance (PMI).
It’s important to keep in mind that refinancing carries costs, and for that reason makes more sense if you plan to stay in your home for some time. It can be helpful to calculate the “break-even point” for a potential refinance—to see how long it will take for savings from the new mortgage to outweigh closing costs. Try to find out what those fees will be and divide them by the monthly savings from the new mortgage.
Check out our mortgage refinance calculator to help you decide if this is a good time to refinance.
Is Now a Good Time To Refinance?
Refinancing your mortgage can be worth it for reasons that include:
- Lowering monthly payments. You might be able to reduce your monthly payment by extending your repayment period or qualifying for a better interest rate.
- Reducing your interest rate. Switching from a 30-year mortgage to a shorter term, like 15 or 20 years, can help you get a better interest rate and pay less interest overall.
- Ending annual service fees. FHA and USDA loans can charge annual fees for the life of the loan. If you have at least 20% equity, converting to a conventional mortgage refinance lets you avoid mortgage insurance premiums and guarantee fees.
- Switching to a fixed interest rate. You may also refinance an adjustable-rate mortgage into a fixed interest rate to avoid future rate hikes that increase your monthly payment and total borrowing costs.
- Borrowing your home equity: A cash-out refinance allows you to tap your home equity to consolidate high-interest debt and pay for personal expenses. The mortgage refinance interest rate can be lower than unsecured personal loans.
Lenders offer multiple mortgage refinance options to help you quickly compare your potential rate and monthly payment. Refinancing can also provide more repayment flexibility.Now isn’t a good time to refinance if you cannot get a smaller monthly payment or the closing costs offset the potential benefits of having a new rate and term.How to Get Today’s Best Refinance RatesJust like when you took out your original mortgage, it pays to have a strategy for finding the lowest rate when you want to refinance. Here’s what you should be doing get a good mortgage rate:
Improve your credit
- Consider a shorter loan term
- Lower your debt-to-income ratio
- Watch mortgage rates
There are no guarantees when it comes to borrowing, but a strong credit score is one of the best things you can do to present yourself to lenders. Banks and other financial institutions are more likely to approve you if you don’t have too much debt relative to your income. You should check in on mortgage rates, which fluctuate frequently, on a regular basis. And use calculators like ours to see if you can swing a home loan that’s shorter in duration than the popular 30-year mortgage. These loans usually have lower interest rates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How soon can you refinance a mortgage?
Most lenders allow you to refinance a mortgage six months after you start paying it off, although some require that you wait 12 months. Contact your lender to be sure.
How quickly can you refinance a mortgage?
Many lenders refinance your mortgage in about 45 to 60 days, but it depends on the type of mortgage you choose and other factors. Ask your lender what their time frame is before you borrow to make sure it’s right for you.
How much does it cost to refinance a mortgage?
Closing costs for a refinance can be anywhere from 2% to 6% of the cost of the loan. It’s always a good idea to ask the lender what kind of closing costs they’ll charge before you decide to borrow from them.