Mortgage Rates Face Downward Pressure as Treasury Yields Fall | Today, October 13, 2026

Today’s mortgage rates

The 10-year Treasury yield fell 5.3 basis points to 5.189% from a previous close of 5.242% in a snapshot captured at 5:30 a.m. PT on Oct. 13, a meaningful move that could ease pressure on mortgage pricing but does not confirm a decline—or any change—in today’s mortgage quotes.

Freddie Mac’s 30-year Primary Mortgage Market Survey averaged 7.40% for the week ending Oct. 8, up from 7.28% on Oct. 1, according to the Freddie Mac series published via FRED. That is a weekly survey benchmark rather than today’s lender quote. Existing-home sales, scheduled for Oct. 13 at 10 a.m. ET, are the day’s highest-priority economic release on Econoday’s calendar. For borrowers, the benchmark points to a still-high rate environment, not a rate they can necessarily secure today.

Although rates have elevated from recent lows, see if refinancing makes sense or tapping home equity is prudent. 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

Rates in the table above are the latest available from our partner network. At publication, they reflected partner data dated October 9, 2026, and they are not new readings for October 13, 2026. The table may update after publication.

>Related: 7 Tips to get the best refinance rate

30-year fixed rate mortgage

In the latest available partner data shown in the table above, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 7.55%.

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 18.63% on Oct. 9, 1981, 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

In the same partner data, the average 15-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.838%.

The average 15-year FRM hit a record weekly low of 2.1% on July 29, 2021, and a record weekly high of 8.89% on Dec. 16, 1994, according to Freddie Mac, which began tracking the 15-year rate in 1991.

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

The 5/1 ARM Conventional row in the table above shows the latest available partner rate for this loan type. 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.

Market data affecting today’s mortgage rates

Here’s a snapshot of market conditions captured at 5:30 a.m. PT on Oct. 13. Each figure compares with that market’s previous closing level. The “good” and “bad” labels describe possible directional influences on mortgage rates; they are not confirmed changes in today’s mortgage pricing or lender quotes.

• The yield on 10-year Treasury notes decreased to 5.189% from 5.242% (Potentially good for mortgage rates). Mortgage rates often follow these Treasury bond yields.
• Major stock indexes closed mixed in the previous session. (Mixed for mortgage rates.) When investors sell shares and move into bonds, bond purchases can push prices up and yields down, potentially easing mortgage rates.
• Oil prices decreased to $92.18 from $93.01 a barrel. (Potentially good for mortgage rates.*)
• Gold prices increased to $4,209.3 from $4,195.00 an ounce. (Neutral for mortgage rates.*)
• CNN Business Fear & Greed Index increased to 45.9 from 45.0 out of 100. (Potentially bad for mortgage rates.)

*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.

So, use markets only as a rough guide. 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

Monday, Oct. 12, put the Federal Reserve’s balancing act in focus, with Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack delivering scheduled remarks at 12:50 p.m. Eastern, according to Econoday. A headline on her appearance highlighted the hope of cooling demand and inflation without hurting the job market. That trade-off matters for mortgage borrowers: Persistent inflation can keep upward pressure on bond yields, while weaker demand can push them lower.

Tuesday, Oct. 13, brings a potentially favorable signal from Treasurys. The 10-year yield fell 5.3 basis points to 5.189% from a previous close of 5.242%, based on a 5:30 a.m. PT snapshot. Mortgage rates often move in the same direction as that benchmark, but the decline does not establish that today’s lender quotes have changed. WTI crude also slipped to $92.18 a barrel from $93.01, offering some relief on energy costs without settling the broader inflation outlook.

Tuesday’s economic calendar started with Christopher Waller’s scheduled remarks at 3:45 a.m. Eastern, followed by the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index at 6 a.m., according to Econoday. Investors will watch the survey’s hiring and pricing signals for evidence of whether demand and inflation pressures are easing. Existing Home Sales follows at 10 a.m., providing a read on housing demand under the strain of high borrowing costs. A stronger-than-expected report could pressure yields higher; a weaker reading could support a decline.

Tuesday afternoon brings scheduled remarks from Thomas Barkin at 1 p.m. Eastern and Susan Collins at 4 p.m., according to Econoday. Their assessments of inflation and employment could reinforce or challenge the Treasury move. For borrowers, the key distinction remains the same: Lower Treasury yields are encouraging, but a current lender quote—not the bond move alone—will show whether that has reached mortgage pricing.

Recent trends

Freddie Mac’s October 8 report put the weekly 30-year fixed mortgage rate average at 7.4%, rising 12 basis points (0.12 percentage point) from the previous week. Freddie’s data serves as a market barometer and trend tracker, but individual rates vary by lender and depend on personal financial profiles.

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.

🏠 Equal Housing Lender. The Mortgage Reports, NMLS #1019791. Verify our licensing at NMLS Consumer Access. We do business in accordance with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and federal Fair Housing laws. This article is for editorial and informational purposes only and is not an offer or commitment to lend; rates and terms are illustrative and subject to change without notice.