Today's mortgage and refinance rates: March 24, 2022 | Rates keep climbing

Mortgage rates appear to be increasing faster than many forecasts had predicted, as rates soared past 4% last week and continue to move up this week.

In its most recent monthly forecast, the Mortgage Bankers Association predicted that 30-year fixed rates would average 4.5% in Q4 of 2022. But current rates already appear to be closing in on that number, hitting 4.4% on Wednesday.

In a speech on Monday, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell indicated that the Fed may need to move more aggressively to fight inflation, and that larger-than-expected increases to the federal funds rate may be coming.

Today's mortgage rates

Today's refinance rates

Mortgage calculator

Use our free mortgage calculator to see how today's interest rates will affect your monthly payments:

By clicking on "More details," you'll also see how much you'll pay over the entire length of your mortgage, including how much goes toward the principal vs. interest.

Are mortgage rates going up?

Mortgage rates started ticking up from historic lows in the second half of 2021, and will likely continue to increase throughout 2022.

In the last 12 months, the Consumer Price Index rose by 7.9%, the fastest rate of inflation since 1982. The Federal Reserve has been working to get inflation under control, and plans to increase the federal funds target rate six more times this year, following a 0.25% increase at its March meeting.

Though not directly tied to the federal funds rate, mortgage rates are often pushed up as a result of Fed rate hikes. As the central bank continues to tighten monetary policy to lower inflation, it's likely that mortgage rates will remain elevated.

How do mortgage rates work?

A mortgage interest rate is the fee a lender charges for borrowing money, expressed as a percentage. For example, you get a mortgage for $300,000 with an interest rate of 2.5%.

Mortgage rates can be either fixed or adjustable. A fixed-rate mortgage keeps your rate the same for the entire length of your loan. An adjustable-rate mortgage locks in your rate for the first few years or so, then changes it periodically. With a 7/1 ARM, your rate would stay steady for the first seven years, then shift annually.

The longer your mortgage term, the higher your rate will be. For instance, you'll pay more on a 30-year mortgage than a 15-year mortgage. Longer terms do come with lower monthly payments, though, because you're spreading out the repayment process.

How do I get the best mortgage rate?

Here are a few steps you can take to get the lowest mortgage rate possible:

• Consider fixed vs. adjustable rates. You may be able to get a lower introductory rate with an adjustable-rate mortgage, which can be good if you plan to move before the intro period ends. But a fixed rate could be better if you're buying a forever home because you won't risk your rate going up later. Look at the rates your lender offers and weigh your options.
• Look at your finances. The stronger your financial situation, the lower your mortgage rate should be. Look for ways to boost your credit score or lower your debt-to-income ratio, if necessary. Saving for a higher down payment also helps.
• Choose the right lender. Each lender charges different mortgage rates. Picking the right one for your financial situation will help you land a good rate.

How do I choose a mortgage lender?

First, think about what type of mortgage you want. The best mortgage lender will be different for an FHA mortgage than for a VA mortgage.

A lender should be relatively affordable. You shouldn't need a super high credit score or down payment to get a loan. You also want it to offer good rates and charge reasonable fees.

Once you're ready to start shopping for homes, apply for preapproval with your top three or four choices. A preapproval letter states that the lender would like to lend you up to a certain amount, at a specific interest rate. With a few preapproval letters in hand, you can compare each lender's offer.

When you apply for preapproval, a lender does a hard credit inquiry. A bunch of hard inquiries on your report can hurt your credit score — unless it's for the sake of shopping for the best rate.

If you limit your rate shopping to a month or so, credit bureaus will understand that you're looking for a home and shouldn't hold each individual inquiry against you.