Rates for 15-Year Mortgages: What is Trend?
Mar 18, 2023 By Kelly Walker

The interest you can expect to pay on a mortgage with a 15-year term is known as a 15-year mortgage rate. The interest rate ultimately determines how much it will cost you to borrow money from a lender. It is based on a portion of the loan amount (or principal).

Mortgage rates frequently fluctuate daily. It's a good idea to closely monitor interest rates and consider your possibilities for a mortgage if you're preparing to purchase a property. The most common type of mortgage is a conventional loan with a fixed interest rate for 15 years. Your speed and the monthly payment will be constant, with a fixed rate for the duration of the loan.

You may save hundreds or even thousands of dollars because 15-year loan rates are often cheaper than loans with longer maturities. A shorter term will result in lower overall interest costs, with a higher monthly payment.

Selection of 15-Year Mortgage Rates

We were initially required to build a credit profile to evaluate the best 15-year mortgage rates. This profile had an 80% loan-to-value ratio for the property and a credit score between 700 and 760. We averaged the lowest rates from more than 200 of the top lenders in the country for this profile. So, these interest rates accurately represent what actual consumers may encounter when looking for a mortgage.

Remember that mortgage rates might fluctuate daily; this information is only provided as a guide. The interest rates and loan terms a person can obtain depend on their credit history and income profile. Individual lender terms will be applicable, and loan rates do not include amounts for taxes or insurance premiums.

Best 15-Year Mortgage Rates and Lenders

Studying national averages and advertised rates will give you a rough notion of what's happening in the mortgage market, especially considering how rates have changed over time. To discover the best rates on 15-year mortgages, browse and explore your alternatives from as many lenders as possible. This will make it simpler for you to choose a lender that meets your demands and secure the best possible rate.

There are the following factors that will impact your rates:

Credit record: You normally need good to exceptional credit to be eligible for the lowest interest rates. An outstanding credit score begins at 800, while a decent credit score is typically 670 or higher. The better your rate will be, the higher your credit score will be.

Debt-to-income ratio: The debt-to-income ratio is the ratio of your monthly debt payment to your income. To get eligible for a mortgage, your debt-to-income ratio must be more than 43%, though some lenders may be more or less liberal.

Residential location: Rates can change depending on the property's state and whether it's in an urban or rural setting.

Loan payment: If you're looking for an exceptionally small or enormous loan, you can end up paying a higher interest.

Down payment: With a greater down payment, you might get a cheaper interest rate.

Pros and Cons of 15-Year Mortgages

There are several pros and cons to consider if you're thinking about a 15-year mortgage:

Pros of 15-year mortgages

  • Pay less interest: A 15-year term is less expensive in terms of interest than a 30-year term because it is shorter.
  • Pay off your mortgage sooner: You will become the sole owner of your house far sooner with a 15-year mortgage than with a longer payback period.
  • Personal mortgage insurance: The lender will require private mortgage insurance if you take out a traditional mortgage with a down payment of less than 20%. One of the ways to have private mortgage insurance canceled or removed is to finish half of your payback term. In contrast to a 30-year term, a 15-year period allows you to cancel your PMI sooner.

Cons of 15-year mortgages

  • Increasing monthly payments: A shorter term will cost you less in interest, but it will result in a greater monthly payment, then a 30-year mortgage can be a better choice if you cannot pay the higher monthly fees on a 15-year loan.
  • Less budget flexibility: A 15-year term will require more of your monthly salary than a 30-year term, leaving you with less flexibility in your budget.
  • Less money for set targets: You won't have less money to spend towards other goals, like retirement savings, because a more significant portion of your income will go towards paying your mortgage.

Value of a 15-Year Mortgage

The value of a 15-year mortgage will depend on your unique situation and financial objectives. If comparing a 15-year loan to a 30-year loan for the same amount, your monthly payment will often be greater. So a 30-year loan would be better if you require a smaller monthly payment.

However, if you choose a shorter period, your overall interest costs will be lower. Also, 15-year mortgages frequently offer lower rates than 30-year mortgage rates, which will further reduce your interest costs throughout the loan.

The Rates for 15-Year Mortgages

The greatest rate you can receive will depend on your credit history, the money you're putting down, and other financial factors.

For example, If the local average rate is 7%, your ability to obtain a mortgage is at 6.75% or 7.3% depending on your creditworthiness and other financial variables.

The Best 15-Year Mortgage Rates for 2022

  • The average national interest rate for a 15-year fixed mortgage was 6.49%, and the rate for a 15-year jumbo mortgage was 6.39% as of 2022
  • The average rate for a 15-year mortgage is currently 6.31%, which is higher than the rate of 6.17% from the previous week.
  • For a 15-year mortgage, the 52-week high rate was 6.31%, and the 52-week low rate was 5.54%.

Summary

If you're getting ready to buy a house, it's a good idea to regularly watch interest rates and consider your mortgage options because mortgage rates move significantly every day. Compare options from as many lenders as possible to find the best rates on 15-year mortgages by shopping around.