Average mortgage refinance rates have been volleying between 6.5% and 7% as fears of both higher inflation and an economic slowdown play tug-of-war with financial markets. Overall, rates are too high for most homeowners to save money from refinancing.
After three interest rate cuts last year, the Federal Reserve has left rates unchanged in 2025 to assess the economic fallout from President Trump’s policies on trade, immigration and government spending. While the Fed is expected to resume lowering interest rates this summer, a major refinancing boom is unlikely if average rates stay above 6% — which most economists and housing market experts predict.
However, if you’re looking to change the length of your loan or switch to a different type of mortgage, refinancing might still be something to consider. Keep in mind that mortgage refinance rates change daily based on a range of economic and political factors. For expert predictions on where rates might be headed, check out our weekly mortgage rate forecast.
Today’s mortgage rates
When mortgage rates start to fall, be ready to take advantage. Experts recommend shopping around and comparing multiple offers to get the lowest rate. Enter your information here to get a custom quote from one of CNET’s partner lenders.
About these rates: Bankrate’s tool features rates from partner lenders that you can use when comparing multiple mortgage rates.
Today’s refinance rate trends
At the start of 2025, many expected inflation to keep cooling down and the Fed to cut interest rates, which would have gradually lowered mortgage refinance rates. However, stronger-than-expected inflation and uncertainty about Trump’s economic policies have changed those predictions.
Even with some brief dips, mortgage rates and overall financing costs have remained stubbornly high. Investors are concerned that the president’s plans for widespread tariffs, mass deportations and tax cuts could significantly increase the government’s debt and fuel inflation while also driving up unemployment.
What to know about 2025 refinance rate expectations
Most housing forecasts still call for a modest decline in mortgage rates by the end of the year, with average 30-year fixed rates potentially edging below 6.5%.
But even when the central bank resumes policy easing, experts say homeowners shouldn’t expect rates to fall in tandem with the Fed’s benchmark federal funds rate. While the central bank’s policy decisions influence how much consumers pay to borrow, the Fed doesn’t directly control the mortgage market.
For refinance rates to fall meaningfully, we’d likely need to see several Fed cuts coupled with clearer signs of a slowing economy, like cooler inflation or higher unemployment. It usually takes time for these broader interest rate adjustments to show up in the rates lenders then offer to consumers.
Refinancing 101
When you refinance your mortgage, you take out another home loan that pays off your initial mortgage. With a traditional refinance, your new home loan will have a different term and/or interest rate. With a cash-out refinance, you’ll tap into your equity with a new loan that’s bigger than your existing mortgage balance, allowing you to pocket the difference in cash.
Refinancing can be a great financial move if you score a low rate or can pay off your home loan in less time, but consider whether it’s the right choice for you. Reducing your interest rate by 1% or more is an incentive to refinance, allowing you to cut your monthly payment significantly.
But refinancing your mortgage isn’t free. Since you’re taking out a whole new home loan, you’ll need to pay another set of closing costs. If you fall into that pool of homeowners who purchased property when rates were high, consider reaching out to your lender and running the numbers to see whether a mortgage refinance makes sense for your budget, said Logan Mohtashami, lead analyst at HousingWire.
How to select the right refinance type and term
The rates advertised online often require specific conditions for eligibility. Your personal interest rate will be influenced by market conditions as well as your specific credit history, financial profile and application. Having a high credit score, a low credit utilization ratio and a history of consistent and on-time payments will generally help you get the best interest rates.
30-year fixed-rate refinance
For 30-year fixed refinances, the average rate is currently at 6.87%, an increase of 3 basis points from what we saw one week ago. (A basis point is equivalent to 0.01%.) A 30-year fixed refinance will typically have lower monthly payments than a 15-year or 10-year refinance, but it will take you longer to pay off and typically cost you more in interest over the long term.
15-year fixed-rate refinance
The average rate for a 15-year fixed refinance loan is currently 6.17%, an increase of 6 basis points over last week. Though a 15-year fixed refinance will most likely raise your monthly payment compared to a 30-year loan, you’ll save more money over time because you’re paying off your loan quicker. Also, 15-year refinance rates are typically lower than 30-year refinance rates, which will help you save more in the long run.
10-year fixed-rate refinance
The average rate for a 10-year fixed refinance loan is currently 6.09%, an increase of 2 basis points over last week. A 10-year refinance typically has the lowest interest rate but the highest monthly payment of all refinance terms. A 10-year refinance can help you pay off your house much quicker and save on interest, but make sure you can afford the steeper monthly payment.
To get the best refinance rates, make your application as strong as possible by getting your finances in order, using credit responsibly and monitoring your credit regularly. And don’t forget to speak with multiple lenders and shop around.
Does refinancing make sense?
Homeowners usually refinance to save money, but there are other reasons to do so. Here are the most common reasons homeowners refinance:
- To get a lower interest rate: If you can secure a rate that’s at least 1% lower than the one on your current mortgage, it could make sense to refinance.
- To switch the type of mortgage: If you have an adjustable-rate mortgage and want greater security, you could refinance to a fixed-rate mortgage.
- To eliminate mortgage insurance: If you have an FHA loan that requires mortgage insurance, you can refinance to a conventional loan once you have 20% equity.
- To change the length of a loan term: Refinancing to a longer loan term could lower your monthly payment. Refinancing to a shorter term will save you interest in the long run.
- To tap into your equity through a cash-out refinance: If you replace your mortgage with a larger loan, you can receive the difference in cash to cover a large expense.
- To take someone off the mortgage: In case of divorce, you can apply for a new home loan in just your name and use the funds to pay off your existing mortgage.
