Best Mortgage Rates Today: Compare Live Rates From Top Lenders
30-year fixed from 5.99% · 15-year from 5.31% · FHA from 5.62% · VA from 5.48%. See personalized rates in 2 minutes — no credit pull.
🎯 See YOUR Rate in 2 Minutes — No Credit Pull
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Average savings: $1,200/year vs. going with the first lender you find
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Today's Best Mortgage Rates (March 19, 2026)
| Loan Type | Best Rate | Average Rate | APR | Monthly (on $320K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏆 30-Year Fixed | 5.99% | 6.12% | 6.18% | $1,917 |
| 15-Year Fixed | 5.31% | 5.43% | 5.52% | $2,574 |
| 5/1 ARM | 5.65% | 5.78% | 5.85% | $1,851 |
| FHA 30-Year | 5.62% | 5.74% | 6.52% | $1,846 |
| VA 30-Year | 5.48% | 5.60% | 5.72% | $1,818 |
| DSCR Investor | 6.50% | 7.25% | 7.45% | $2,023 |
Rates based on $400K home, 20% down, 740+ credit. Best rates from surveyed lenders. Your rate may be different. Source: Freddie Mac PMMS, MND, lender surveys. Updated March 19, 2026.
⚡ Rate Alert: The best 30-year rate we're seeing today is 5.99% — but only from select lenders. The average is 6.12%. That 0.13% gap costs you $27/month or $9,720 over 30 years. Compare lenders to find the lowest rate →
Today's Rates By Credit Score
Your credit score is the single biggest factor in your mortgage rate. Here's what you can expect today:
| Credit Score | 30-Year Rate | Monthly Payment | Total Interest (30yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 760+ (Excellent) | 5.99% | $1,917 | $370,066 |
| 740-759 (Very Good) | 6.12% | $1,942 | $379,100 |
| 700-739 (Good) | 6.37% | $1,990 | $396,554 |
| 680-699 (Fair) | 6.62% | $2,040 | $414,367 |
| 660-679 (Below Avg) | 6.99% | $2,112 | $440,328 |
Based on $320K loan amount, 30-year fixed. Rate estimates from LLPA matrix and lender surveys.
💡 The difference between 760+ and 660 credit? That's $195/month or $70,262 over the life of the loan. If your score is below 740, spend 30-60 days improving it before applying — it's the highest-ROI move you can make.
💰 The Average Borrower Saves $1,200/Year by Comparing
Don't leave money on the table. See your personalized rate from 10+ lenders in 2 minutes.
See My Personalized Rate →7 Ways to Get the Lowest Rate Today
1. Compare at Least 3-5 Lenders
This is the single most impactful thing you can do. Freddie Mac research shows borrowers who get just one extra quote save an average of $1,200 per year. Five quotes can save $3,000+. It takes 2 minutes to compare rates online.
2. Get Pre-Approved Before Shopping
A pre-approval letter shows sellers you're serious and locks in your rate range. In today's market, offers without pre-approval are often rejected outright.
3. Boost Your Credit Score Above 740
Pay down credit card balances below 10% utilization, dispute any errors, and avoid opening new accounts. Even a 20-point improvement can save 0.25% on your rate — that's $52/month on a $320K loan.
4. Increase Your Down Payment to 25%+
Going from 20% to 25% down often unlocks a better rate tier (0.125-0.25% lower). It also eliminates PMI risk and gives you instant equity for future needs.
5. Consider Buying Discount Points
One point (1% of loan) typically buys 0.25% off your rate. On $320K, that's $3,200 to save $52/month. Break-even: ~5 years. Worth it if you plan to stay 7+ years.
6. Lock Your Rate Immediately
In this volatile market, rates swing 0.15% in a single day. Lock with a 45-60 day window as soon as you find a rate you like. Ask about float-down options for added protection.
7. Ask for Seller Concessions
In today's buyer-friendly market, sellers are agreeing to concessions. Ask for a 2-1 buydown or closing cost credits — effectively lowering your rate for the first 1-2 years.
Today's Refinance Rates
If you have a rate above 7%, now is a strong time to refinance. Current refinance rates:
6.08%
30-Year Refi
Lowest from surveyed lenders
5.39%
15-Year Refi
Save $135K+ in total interest
6.25%
Cash-Out Refi
Tap equity, consolidate debt
Should you refi? If your current rate is 7%+ and you plan to stay 3+ years, refinancing to today's rates could save you $150-$300/month. Compare refinance offers (soft pull only) →
Investor Rates Today
DSCR Investment Property Loans from 6.5%
No tax returns, no W-2s, no income verification. Close in 14-21 days. Finance unlimited properties. Perfect for rental investors and portfolio builders.
- ✅ No income docs required — DSCR-based approval
- ✅ Close in 14-21 days vs. 45 days conventional
- ✅ Unlimited financed properties (no 10-property cap)
Already a Homeowner? Access Your Equity
Get Up to $600K — No Monthly Payments
A home equity investment lets you access your equity with zero monthly payments, zero interest, and zero impact on your credit. Use it for anything — debt consolidation, renovations, investing.
- ✅ $0 monthly payments for up to 10 years
- ✅ No impact on DTI or credit score
- ✅ 2-minute eligibility check, no credit pull
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best mortgage rates today?
As of March 19, 2026, the best mortgage rates are: 30-year fixed at 5.99-6.22% (average 6.12%), 15-year fixed at 5.31-5.54%, 5/1 ARM at 5.65-5.90%, FHA 30-year at 5.62-5.85%, and VA 30-year at 5.48-5.72%. Rates vary by lender, credit score, and loan amount.
How do I get the lowest mortgage rate in 2026?
To get the lowest rate: 1) Compare at least 3-5 lenders (saves avg $1,200/year), 2) Boost credit above 740, 3) Put 20%+ down, 4) Consider buying discount points, 5) Lock your rate immediately when you find a good one. Shopping multiple lenders is the single biggest factor in getting the best rate.
Are mortgage rates going down in 2026?
Rates briefly dipped below 6% in early March 2026 — a 3-year low — before bouncing to 6.22%. Most forecasters expect rates between 5.9-6.3% through 2026, with possible sub-6% windows. The Fed is holding at 3.5-3.75% with 1-2 more cuts possible in late 2026.
Which lender has the lowest mortgage rate right now?
Rates vary significantly between lenders — often by 0.25-0.50% for the same borrower profile. Online lenders and credit unions tend to offer the lowest rates due to lower overhead. The only way to find the absolute lowest rate is to compare multiple lenders simultaneously, which takes about 2 minutes online.
Should I lock my mortgage rate today?
In the current volatile environment, yes — lock immediately if you're under contract. Rates have swung 0.23% in a single week. A 45-60 day rate lock protects you from increases. Some lenders offer free float-down options that let you benefit if rates drop after locking.
What credit score gets the best mortgage rate?
A 740+ FICO score gets the best conventional mortgage rates. Each tier matters: 760+ gets the absolute best pricing, 740-759 is nearly as good, 700-739 adds about 0.25%, 680-699 adds about 0.50%, and 660-679 adds about 0.75-1.0%. For FHA loans, 580+ qualifies but 720+ gets the best rates.
🎯 Stop Overpaying — Compare Rates in 2 Minutes
The difference between the best and average rate is $27/month or $9,720 over 30 years. Don't leave money on the table.
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Meet David
Refinance & Rate Specialist
David Rodriguez is a seasoned refinancing expert with over 10 years of experience in mortgage rate analysis and market trend forecasting. As a Certified Rate Lock Specialist, he has saved homeowners millions in interest payments through strategic refinancing timing. His expertise in Federal Reserve policy impact and mortgage-backed securities makes him a go-to expert for rate predictions and refinancing strategies.
EXPERTISE:
KEY ACHIEVEMENT:
Saved clients $50M+ in interest payments