Allen Markel, REALTOR® · Texas Premier Realty

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Today's Mortgage Rates

National averages for six common loan types, from actual rate locks, plus Freddie Mac's weekly benchmark. What they mean for a payment, in plain numbers.

Daily rates as of Fri, Sep 18, 2026

Rate-lock averages are published about one business day later, so “today’s” number is the latest business day’s. Freddie Mac’s survey comes out every Thursday.

Heads up: the daily feed has not updated since Fri, Sep 18, 2026. These are the latest numbers we have.

Daily national averages

30-yr Conforming

The standard loan most buyers get, up to the conforming limit.

7.04%

As of Fri, Sep 18, 2026

Up 0.03 vs Thu

30-day range

6.66%7.05%
90-day trend
Jun 22Sep 18

$668/mo principal & interest per $100,000 borrowed (30 yrs)

30-yr Jumbo

Loans above the conforming limit.

7.03%

As of Fri, Sep 18, 2026

Down 0.09 vs Thu

30-day range

6.62%7.12%
90-day trend
Jun 22Sep 18

$667/mo principal & interest per $100,000 borrowed (30 yrs)

30-yr FHA

Government-insured; often used with a smaller down payment.

6.80%

As of Fri, Sep 18, 2026

Up 0.02 vs Thu

30-day range

6.46%6.82%
90-day trend
Jun 22Sep 18

$652/mo principal & interest per $100,000 borrowed (30 yrs)

30-yr VA

For eligible veterans, service members and surviving spouses.

6.75%

As of Fri, Sep 18, 2026

Up 0.06 vs Thu

30-day range

6.27%6.75%
90-day trend
Jun 22Sep 18

$649/mo principal & interest per $100,000 borrowed (30 yrs)

30-yr USDA

For eligible homes in USDA-designated rural areas.

6.71%

As of Fri, Sep 18, 2026

Down 0.12 vs Thu

30-day range

6.38%6.83%
90-day trend
Jun 22Sep 18

$646/mo principal & interest per $100,000 borrowed (30 yrs)

15-yr Conforming

Pay the home off in half the time; higher payment, far less interest.

6.26%

As of Fri, Sep 18, 2026

Down 0.14 vs Thu

30-day range

5.92%6.44%
90-day trend
Jun 22Sep 18

$858/mo principal & interest per $100,000 borrowed (15 yrs)

The weekly benchmark

Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey is the number the news quotes. It is weekly and based on applications, so it can differ a little from the daily rate-lock averages above.

30-yr Fixed (Freddie Mac)

The weekly national average most news stories quote.

6.95%

Week of Thu, Sep 17, 2026

Up 0.19 vs prior week

30-day range

6.65%6.95%
90-day trend
Jun 25Sep 17

$662/mo principal & interest per $100,000 borrowed (30 yrs)

15-yr Fixed (Freddie Mac)

Freddie Mac's weekly 15-year average.

6.26%

Week of Thu, Sep 17, 2026

Up 0.17 vs prior week

30-day range

5.95%6.26%
90-day trend
Jun 25Sep 17

$858/mo principal & interest per $100,000 borrowed (15 yrs)

Rate trend

Freddie Mac’s weekly national average for 30-year and 15-year fixed loans. Latest survey: Thursday, September 24, 2026.

Sep 24, 2026 30-year: 7.03% 15-year: 6.42%
5.5%6.0%6.5%7.0%7.5%Jun 25Jul 16Aug 13Sep 3Sep 247.03%6.42%

Solid line: 30-year fixed. Dashed line: 15-year fixed. Each point is one weekly survey.

30-year fixed: 7.03% for the week of September 24, 2026, up from 6.49% on June 25, 2026. 3-month range: 6.43% to 7.03%. 15-year fixed: 6.42% for the week of September 24, 2026, up from 5.84% on June 25, 2026. 3-month range: 5.79% to 6.42%.

View the numbers as a table
30-year and 15-year fixed rates, 3 months
Week of30-year15-year
Sep 24, 20267.03%6.42%
Sep 17, 20266.95%6.26%
Sep 10, 20266.76%6.09%
Sep 3, 20266.71%6.04%
Aug 27, 20266.66%5.98%
Aug 20, 20266.65%5.95%
Aug 13, 20266.67%5.96%
Aug 6, 20266.69%6.01%
Jul 30, 20266.66%6.04%
Jul 23, 20266.58%5.96%
Jul 16, 20266.55%5.93%
Jul 9, 20266.49%5.82%
Jul 2, 20266.43%5.79%
Jun 25, 20266.49%5.84%

Source: Freddie Mac, Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States, MORTGAGE30US; 15-Year, MORTGAGE15US), retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, as of Sep 24, 2026. Freddie Mac data are provided “as is.” National averages of past weeks, shown as history; they are not a quote or a prediction.

What these rates mean on a home

Type a price. Every product below uses the same price and down payment so you can compare.

Property tax: 2.25% typical in Harris County. Typical total rate for the 17,580 homes for sale in Harris County (median of their certified 2025 tax bills; most are between 2.13% and 2.51%). Add your ZIP for a closer figure.

Typical in Harris County: $81/mo (74% of homes for sale there list an HOA). Set 0 if yours has none.

Loan amount: $360,000

  • 30-yr Conforming at 7.04%$3,419/mo$2,404 principal & interest + $1,014 taxes, insurance & HOA
  • 30-yr Jumbo at 7.03%$3,417/mo$2,403 principal & interest + $1,014 taxes, insurance & HOA
  • 30-yr FHA at 6.80%$3,361/mo$2,347 principal & interest + $1,014 taxes, insurance & HOA
  • 30-yr VA at 6.75%$3,350/mo$2,335 principal & interest + $1,014 taxes, insurance & HOA
  • 30-yr USDA at 6.71%$3,340/mo$2,325 principal & interest + $1,014 taxes, insurance & HOA
  • 15-yr Conforming at 6.26%$4,102/mo$3,088 principal & interest + $1,014 taxes, insurance & HOA

Property tax uses the typical 2.25% total rate in Harris County and the same insurance budget as our affordability calculator; your HOA is added when you enter one. Not included: mortgage insurance (it differs by product — PMI, FHA MIP, the VA funding fee, the USDA fee). Down payment rules differ by loan type — a lender will tell you yours. Jumbo only applies to loans above the conforming limit.

See all rates as a table

On a narrow screen this shows rate, change and monthly cost. Each rate card above also carries its as-of date and its 30-day low and high.

ProductRateChangePer $100k
30-yr Conforming7.04%up 0.025$668/mo
30-yr Jumbo7.03%down 0.092$667/mo
30-yr FHA6.80%up 0.018$652/mo
30-yr VA6.75%up 0.057$649/mo
30-yr USDA6.71%down 0.117$646/mo
15-yr Conforming6.26%down 0.138$858/mo
30-yr Fixed (Freddie Mac)6.95%up 0.190$662/mo
15-yr Fixed (Freddie Mac)6.26%up 0.170$858/mo

National averages, not a quote

These are averages across the whole country. No lender has promised you these rates, and Allen is a REALTOR®, not a lender.

Your rate is personal

Your credit score, down payment, loan size, the property, and whether you pay points all move your rate up or down.

Rates move daily

A lender's quote is only good once you lock it. Watch the trend, then lock with a lender when the timing and the payment work for you.

Ready to see your real rate?

Tell me a little about your plans.I'll introduce you to a lender for a pre-approval and help you figure out what payment makes sense.No obligation.

Call (832) 709-2540

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These are the lenders Allen works with. For any lender you’d like to talk to, tap Make introduction — we’ll make the introduction for you.

Allen Markel is a licensed Texas REALTOR®, not a mortgage lender or loan originator. He does not quote rates or terms and does not decide whether you qualify — only a lender can do that. Introductions are a courtesy; you choose who to work with.

Rather talk it through first?

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Questions about Mortgage Rates

Getting a loan

  • How much do I need for a down payment?

    It depends on the program. VA purchase loans can be 0% down and USDA loans 0% down for eligible buyers. FHA is 3.5% down with a credit score of 580 or higher, and 10% down for scores 500 to 579. Conventional can start as low as 3% on programs such as HomeReady and Home Possible, with 5% or more common. A loan originator can give you your numbers.

  • Do I need money beyond the down payment?

    Yes. The down payment is separate from closing costs, earnest money and prepaid items such as insurance and taxes. Buyer closing costs generally run 2% to 5% of the purchase price, depending on location, price, loan and lender. A loan originator can tell you how much cash a specific buyer needs, so ask early instead of finding out near closing.

  • What are closing costs and why does nobody warn you?

    Closing costs are the lender, title and other fees paid to finish the purchase, plus prepaid insurance and taxes. They surprise people because the listing price and the payment get all the attention. Buyer closing costs generally run 2% to 5% of the price. Your Loan Estimate lists them. Ask a loan originator for yours before you write an offer.

  • Who can pay my closing costs?

    You, the seller as a concession, a lender credit in exchange for a higher rate, or a mix of these. Loan programs cap what sellers and others can contribute: FHA 6%, USDA 6%, VA 4%, and conventional 3%, 6% or 9% depending on the down payment. Concessions are negotiated in the offer, not automatic. A loan originator can confirm which limit applies to you.

  • What is the difference between pre-qualification and pre-approval?

    Pre-qualification is a quick estimate based on what you tell a loan originator. Pre-approval means the loan originator reviews your documents and credit, and it carries more weight when you write an offer. We suggest a pre-approval before you tour in earnest, because it shows you a real number. Talk to us and we can introduce you to a lender.

  • What documents should I gather before I talk to a loan originator?

    Typically recent pay records, tax returns, bank statements, a list of your debts, and identification. Self-employed buyers may be asked for more. Having these ready speeds up the review and cuts back-and-forth. A loan originator will tell you exactly what your program needs, so ask for the list at the start.

  • How long does loan approval take?

    It varies with the loan program, how complete your documents are and how quickly questions are answered. A pre-approval can move faster than final approval, which also waits on the appraisal and title work. Ask a loan originator for a realistic timeline and build it into your offer's closing date. Delays usually start with missing paperwork.

  • What can hurt my loan approval?

    Missing or inconsistent documents, new debt, late payments, a change in your pay or job, and large unexplained deposits are common trouble spots. The property itself, such as an appraisal that comes in short, can also matter. A loan originator reviews your whole file, so be honest and complete from the start and ask what to watch for.

  • What should I avoid between pre-approval and closing?

    Avoid new credit cards or loans, financing a car or furniture, moving large sums around without a paper trail, changing jobs without talking to your loan originator first, and missing any bill. Lenders can check your file again before closing. If something changes, tell your loan originator and us right away so nothing surprises the file.

  • Do I need to know which loan is right before I talk to a loan originator?

    No. A loan originator is licensed and regulated, takes your information and runs it through the system to match you to an appropriate loan program. Your job is to give accurate information about your credit, savings, pay documentation and plans. A REALTOR is not a lender and does not approve or price loans. We help you use the lender's numbers to shop and write offers.

  • What does a REALTOR do compared with a loan originator?

    A loan originator is licensed and regulated, reviews your finances and matches you to a loan program. A REALTOR does not approve or price loans. We help you turn the lender's numbers into a shopping range, write offers, and keep the lender, title company and inspector on schedule. Think of it as a team: you, a loan originator, a title company and us.

  • What are a Loan Estimate and a Closing Disclosure?

    They are the standard federal forms that show a loan's costs. The Loan Estimate comes after you apply, and the Closing Disclosure shows the final figures before closing. Compare them line by line and ask your loan originator about anything that changed. We can go through them with you so the numbers hold no surprises on closing day.

Monthly cost

  • What monthly costs come in addition to principal and interest?

    Property taxes, homeowner's insurance, any HOA dues, and mortgage insurance or a similar fee depending on the loan. Some loans collect taxes and insurance into an escrow account along with the payment. Two homes at the same price can have very different monthly totals, so compare the full monthly cost, not only the payment on the loan.

  • How do rate and points trade off?

    One point equals 1% of the loan amount, paid at closing to lower the rate. A lender credit works the other way: you take a higher rate and the lender gives you money toward costs. Which makes sense depends on how long you expect to keep the loan and how much cash you have. Ask a loan originator to price both ways for you.

On this page

  • Why are the rates different for each loan type?

    Each product is its own pool of loans with its own rules, so the averages differ. Government-backed programs such as FHA, VA and USDA are priced separately from conventional and jumbo. The page shows national averages, not quotes, so your rate depends on your credit, down payment, loan size, the property and any points. A loan originator can give you your numbers.

  • Why does the Freddie Mac number differ from the daily averages?

    They measure different things. The daily numbers come from actual rate locks and are published about a business day later. Freddie Mac's survey is weekly and based on applications, so it can differ a little. Both are national averages, shown as history, not a quote or a prediction. A loan originator can tell you what is available today.

  • What is a rate lock?

    A rate lock is a lender's commitment to hold a quoted rate for a set period, so a quote is only good once you lock it. Rates move daily. Ask a loan originator how long a lock lasts, what it costs and what happens if closing runs late. Watch the trend, then lock when the timing and the payment both work for you.

  • Should I wait for rates to drop before I buy?

    Nobody can predict rates, and waiting has its own costs, from rent paid to prices that keep moving. The better question is whether the payment works for you today. A loan originator can show how different rates and options change it, and we can look at ways to buy that fit your budget. Delay is usually the costliest choice, so start the conversation.

Loan types

  • What is the VA funding fee?

    It is a one-time fee on VA loans that ranges from 0.5% to 3.3% depending on the loan type, amount, down payment and prior use. It can be paid in cash, rolled into the loan or paid by the seller. VA seller concessions are capped at 4%. A loan originator can tell you whether it applies to you and what it would be.

  • What fees does a USDA loan carry?

    USDA loans for eligible buyers carry an upfront fee of 1% and an annual fee of 0.35% of the unpaid balance, for eligible buyers and eligible homes. They are separate from your interest rate and are not included in the payment estimate on this page. A loan originator can confirm the fees and whether a home qualifies.

  • How much down do jumbo loans usually need?

    Jumbo and non-QM loans typically need 10%, 15% or 20% down, or more, and each lender sets its own rules. Because the conforming limit applies to the loan amount, a larger down payment can sometimes keep a purchase below it. A loan originator can tell you which side of the limit you fall on and what each lender requires.

  • Does a lower rate always mean a better loan?

    Not always. A loan's cost also depends on points, fees, mortgage insurance and how long you keep it. A rate that looks lower may come with points paid at closing, and a higher rate may come with a credit. Ask a loan originator for the full costs on the Loan Estimate and compare totals, not only the rate. Talk to us if you want help reading them.

  • What is the difference between a conforming and a jumbo loan?

    A conforming loan is the standard loan most buyers get, up to the conforming limit. A jumbo loan is for amounts above that limit. Because the limit applies to the loan amount, whether you need jumbo depends on the price and your down payment. A lender can tell you which side of the limit you fall on.

  • What is an FHA loan?

    It is a government-insured loan, often used with a smaller down payment. It carries its own mortgage insurance, which is not included in the payment estimate on this page. Whether it fits depends on your credit, savings and the property, so ask a lender to compare it with other options.

  • Who can use a VA loan?

    A VA loan is for eligible veterans, service members and surviving spouses. Eligibility is confirmed through the process with a lender, and down payment rules differ by loan type. If you think you may qualify, ask a lender about it early, since it can change how you compare options.

  • What is a USDA loan, and does it apply to Houston-area homes?

    A USDA loan is for eligible homes in USDA-designated rural areas. Whether a particular home qualifies depends on its location, and a lender can check the map for you. Some homes at the edge of our market may be in eligible areas, while many will not be.

  • Is a 15-year loan better than a 30-year loan?

    Neither is better for everyone. A 15-year loan pays the home off in half the time with far less interest, but the monthly payment is higher. A 30-year loan lowers the monthly payment but costs more interest over time. Which fits depends on your budget and goals. Talk to us and a lender to find the right option for your circumstances.

Daily national averages

  • What do the rates on this page actually represent?

    They are national averages for six common loan types, taken from actual rate locks, plus a weekly benchmark from Freddie Mac. They are not a quote, and no lender has promised you any of them. Think of them as a way to see the direction of the market and compare loan types, not as the rate you will be offered.

  • Why is the daily rate dated a day or more earlier than today?

    Rate-lock averages are published about one business day later, so the "today" number is the latest business day's. The page also notes when the daily feed has not updated, and in that case it shows the latest numbers we have. Check the as-of date on each card to see how fresh a figure is.

Your rate is personal

  • Why is the rate I get different from the one on this page?

    Your own rate is personal. Your credit score, down payment, loan size, the property and whether you pay points all move it up or down. The page shows national averages across the whole country. The way to see your real rate is to talk to a lender, and we can introduce you to lenders we work with.

What these rates mean on a home

  • How does the payment comparison tool work?

    You enter a home price and a down payment, choose your county and optionally a ZIP code and monthly HOA dues, and the page shows the monthly cost for each loan product at the same price and down payment. That lets you compare products on equal terms. It is an estimate for comparing options, not a loan offer.

  • What is included in the monthly payment estimate and what is left out?

    It includes principal and interest, plus a budget for property taxes, insurance and any HOA dues you enter. It leaves out mortgage insurance, which differs by product, such as PMI, FHA mortgage insurance, the VA funding fee and the USDA fee. Down payment rules also differ by loan type, so a lender will tell you what applies to you.

  • How does the tool estimate property taxes for my county?

    It uses a typical total rate for homes for sale in the county you choose, based on certified tax bills, and a ZIP code gives a closer figure. It is an estimate, because your actual bill depends on the home, its taxing units and any exemptions you qualify for. Check the listing's own tax detail before you rely on it.

Rate trend

  • Is the rate trend chart a prediction?

    No. The chart shows weekly national averages of past weeks from the Freddie Mac survey, for 30-year and 15-year fixed loans. It is history, not a quote or a prediction. It helps you see whether rates have been rising or easing, but it cannot tell you what comes next.

Who is Allen

  • Are you a lender? Can I get a loan from you?

    No. Allen is a REALTOR, not a lender. What we do is introduce you to lenders we work with for a pre-approval and help you work out what payment makes sense for you. You can talk to any lender you like, and we will make the introduction for you.

Get pre-approved

  • What happens when I ask for a pre-approval introduction?

    You tell us a little about your plans, and we introduce you to a lender for a pre-approval. There is no obligation. We can then help you decide what payment makes sense for your situation. A pre-approval is the lender's review of your finances, so it gives a far more reliable number than any average.

Limits

  • What are the limits of the numbers on this page?

    The rates are national averages, the monthly figures are estimates, and the property tax and insurance amounts are typical budgets, not your actual costs. The page does not include mortgage insurance and cannot see your credit. Use it to compare loan types and understand direction, then get a lender's quote for real numbers.

See all questions