Mortgage Interest Rates Today, May 31, 2024 | High Rates Are Slowing Homebuying Demand (2024)

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Mortgage rates have been holding relatively steady this month, though 30-year mortgage rates inched up slightly this week. In spite of some small drops in early May, rates are still prohibitively high for many borrowers, and it's having an impact on the housing market.

We're in the middle of what is typically the peak homebuying season, which lasts from spring to early fall. But in April, pending home sales fell 7.7% from the month before, according to the National Association of Realtors.

"The impact of escalating interest rates throughout April dampened home buying, even with more inventory in the market," NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun said in a press release. "But the Federal Reserve's anticipated rate cut later this year should lead to better conditions, with improved affordability and more supply."

Once inflation slows and the Fed is able to start lowering the federal funds rate, mortgage rates are expected to go down. But if inflation doesn't show signs of cooling in the coming months, rates could remain elevated for longer than expected.

Mortgage Rates Today

Mortgage Refinance Rates Today

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Use ourfree mortgage calculatorto see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments.

By plugging in different term lengths and interest rates, you'll see how your monthly payment could change.

30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 7.03% this week, according to Freddie Mac. This is nine basis points higher than it was the week before.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is the most common type of home loan. With this type of mortgage, you'll pay back what you borrowed over 30 years, and your interest rate won't change for the life of the loan.

The lengthy 30-year term allows you to spread out your payments over a long period of time, meaning you can keep your monthly payments lower and more manageable. The trade-off is that you'll have a higher rate than you would with shorter terms or adjustable rates.

15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates

Average 15-year mortgage rates were 6.36% this week, according to Freddie Mac data, which is a 12-basis-point increase from the previous week.

If you want the predictability that comes with a fixed rate but are looking to spend less on interest over the life of your loan, a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage might be a good fit for you. Because these terms are shorter and have lower rates than 30-year fixed-rate mortgages, you could potentially save tens of thousands of dollars in interest. However, you'll have a higher monthly payment than you would with a longer term.

Are Mortgage Rates Going Down?

Mortgage rates increased throughout most of 2023. But mortgage rates are expected to trend down in the coming months and years.

In the last 12 months, the Consumer Price Index rose by 3.4%. As inflation comes down and the Federal Reserve is able to start cutting the federal funds rate, mortgage rates should fall further as well.

For homeowners looking toleverage their home's valueto cover a big purchase — such as a home renovation — ahome equity line of credit (HELOC) may be a good option while we wait for mortgage rates to ease. Check out some of our best HELOC lenders to start your search for the right loan for you.

A HELOC is a line of credit that lets you borrow against the equity in your home. It works similarly to a credit card in that you borrow what you need rather than getting the full amount you're borrowing in a lump sum. It also lets you tap into the money you have in your home without replacing your entire mortgage, like you'd do with a cash-out refinance.

Current HELOC ratesare relatively low compared to other loan options, including credit cards and personal loans.

How Do Fed Rate Hikes Affect Mortgages?

The Fed aggressively raised the federal funds rate in 2022 and 2023 to slow economic growth and get inflation under control. As a result, mortgage rates spiked.

Mortgage rates aren't directly impacted by changes to the federal funds rate, but they often trend up or down ahead of Fed policy moves. This is because mortgage rates change based on investor demand for mortgage-backed securities, and this demand is often impacted by how investors expect Fed hikes to affect the broader economy.

Now that the Fed has paused hiking rates, mortgage rates have come down a bit. Once the Fed starts cutting rates, which is likely to happen this year, mortgage rates should fall even further.