Mortgage Rates Flat to End Week | Today, March 20, 2026

Today’s mortgage rates

Mortgage rates edged ever so slightly lower from yesterday morning, as market pressures intensify.

Today’s economic landscape presents headwinds that could sustain upward momentum on rates, with inflation concerns and geopolitical tensions weighing on bond markets.

With rates still elevated from recent lows, consider refinancing or tapping home equity. For home buyers, explore expert advice for 2026 and check if you qualify for financial assistance programs or more flexible loan options.

Current mortgage and refinance rates

>Related: 7 Tips to get the best refinance rate

30-year fixed rate mortgage

At the time this was published, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate reached %.

The average 30-year fixed rate mortgage (FRM) hit a record weekly low of 2.65% on Jan. 7, 2021, and a record weekly high of 8.89% on Dec. 16, 1994, according to Freddie Mac.

A 30-year FRM gives borrowers an affordable option but you pay more interest over the life of the loan compared to shorter mortgages.

15-year fixed rate mortgage

Today, the average 15-year fixed mortgage rate went to %.

The average 15-year FRM hit a record weekly low of 2.1% on July 29, 2021, and a record weekly high of 18.63% on Sep. 10, 1981, according to Freddie Mac.

The 15-year FRM offers borrowers a briefer term with less accrued interest, but the monthly payments will be much higher.

5/1 adjustable-rate mortgage

This morning’s 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage averaged %.

Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) typically have lower initial interest rates compared to fixed loans. Once that initial period ends, the interest rate adjusts to the current market conditions. In this case, the initial period is five years and the adjustments are up to once every year. Homeowners with shorter term lending plans tend to see these as advantageous.

What experts are expecting

Rebekah Scott, director of investment real estate at Atlas Real Estate

“The most important thing consumers should understand is that we’re experiencing a rare window of opportunity. If you’ve been waiting for conditions to improve, they have. Not dramatically, but meaningfully.”

Market data affecting today’s mortgage rates

Here’s a snapshot of the state of play as this article was published. The data mostly compares to roughly the same time the business day before, so much of the movement will often have happened in the previous session. These movements are based on the previous day’s settlement prices.

• The yield on 10-year Treasury notes rose to 4.303% from 4.170% the previous day. (Bad for mortgage rates.) Mortgage rates often follow these Treasury bond yields. This sharp increase of over 13 basis points signals heightened concern among bond investors, pushing yields above their recent 52-week range and putting upward pressure on rates.
• Major stock indexes declined this morning. (Good for mortgage rates.) The Dow fell 0.44%, the S&P 500 dropped 0.27%, and the NASDAQ decreased 0.28%. When investors sell shares and move into bonds, bond purchases can push prices up and yields down, potentially easing mortgage rates. However, this relationship is imperfect.
• Oil prices fell to $95.26 from $95.88 a barrel. (Good for mortgage rates.*) While prices remain elevated due to Middle East tensions, the slight decline may ease inflation concerns pressuring rates higher.
• Gold prices rose to $4,680.70 from $4,433 an ounce. (Good for mortgage rates.*) Gold’s jump reflects investor anxiety about geopolitical risks and economic uncertainty, as gold rises during turbulent times.
• CNN Business Fear & Greed Index fell to 16 from 17. (Good for mortgage rates.) “Extreme Fear” suggests investors are fleeing to safety, supporting bond prices and moderating rate increases.

*A movement of less than $20 on gold prices or 40 cents on oil prices is a change of 1% or less. So we only count meaningful differences as good or bad for mortgage rates.

Caveats about markets and rates

Before the pandemic, post-pandemic upheavals, and war in Ukraine, you could look at the above figures and make a pretty good guess about what would happen to mortgage rates that day. But that’s no longer the case. We still make daily calls. And are usually right. But our record for accuracy won’t achieve its former high levels until things settle down.

So, use markets only as a rough guide. Because they have to be exceptionally strong or weak for us to rely on them. But, with that caveat, mortgage rates today might nudge upward or barely budge. However, be aware that “intraday swings” (when rates change speed or direction during the day) are a common feature right now.

What’s driving mortgage rates today?

This week

Mortgage rates face continued pressure this week from a combination of persistent inflation concerns, geopolitical tensions, and Federal Reserve policy signals. The ongoing conflict in Iran remains a significant factor, driving energy costs higher and fueling broader inflationary worries that extend beyond oil markets alone. These supply chain disruptions could push transportation costs upward, adding strain to an already challenging affordability environment.

The Federal Reserve’s decision Wednesday to hold its benchmark rate steady for the second consecutive meeting reflects the central bank’s cautious stance. With inflation still running above the 2% target and recent wholesale price data exceeding expectations, policymakers show little urgency to cut rates in the near term. This positioning keeps upward pressure on mortgage rates as markets adjust expectations.

Housing market fundamentals also play a role. Single-family construction starts have declined year-over-year, contributing to limited inventory that keeps home prices elevated. While pending home sales showed a modest uptick in February, the combination of high prices and elevated rates continues to challenge affordability for many buyers entering the spring season.

With Bankrate’s Rate Variability Index at 7 out of 10, borrowers should prioritize shopping around, as significant differences exist between lender offers in this volatile environment.

Recent trends

Freddie Mac’s March 19 report put the weekly 30-year fixed mortgage rate average at 6.22%, rising 11 basis points (0.11%) from the previous week. Rates remain near three-year lows, with purchase and refinance applications rising year-over-year. Freddie’s data serves as a market barometer and trend tracker, but individual rates vary by lender and depend on personal financial profiles.

Expert forecasts for mortgage rates

Looking further ahead, Fannie Mae and the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) each has a team of economists dedicated to monitoring and forecasting what will happen to the economy, the housing sector and mortgage rates.

Here are their quarterly rate forecasts for 2026.

The numbers in the table below are for 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages. Fannie updated its forecast on March 10 and the MBA updated theirs on February 17.

Of course, given so many unknowables, these forecasts might be even more speculative than usual. And their past record for accuracy — due to the volatile nature of interest rates — hasn’t been wildly impressive.

Mortgage rate methodology

The Mortgage Reports receives rates based on selected criteria from multiple lending partners each day. We arrive at an average rate and APR for each loan type to display in our chart. Because we average an array of rates, it gives you a better idea of what you might find in the marketplace. Furthermore, we average rates for the same loan types. For example, FHA fixed with FHA fixed. The end result is a good snapshot of daily rates and how they change over time.

Current mortgage rates methodology

We receive current mortgage rates each day from a network of mortgage lenders that offer home purchase and refinance loans. Those mortgage rates shown here are based on sample borrower profiles that vary by loan type. See our full loan assumptions here.

Today’s mortgage rates FAQ