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Mortgage rates edge higher as US-Iran ceasefire falls apart: Mortgage and refinance interest rates today

Claire Boston

Claire Boston· Senior Reporter

Updated Thu, July 9, 2026 at 9:03 AM PDT6 min read

Mortgage rates moved higher this week as the US and Iran traded new strikes, sending bond yields and oil prices higher once again.

The average 30-year mortgage rate was 6.49% this week through Wednesday, according to Freddie Mac data, up from 6.43% a week earlier.

The fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran collapsed earlier this week, with President Trump declaring Wednesday that an agreement between the two nations to work toward a peace deal was "over." Treasury yields, which mortgage rates closely track, have moved higher in recent days amid new fears that higher oil prices will lead to prolonged inflation.

"Mortgage rates looked like they were poised for a retreat in recent weeks, but the deterioration of the situation in Iran has put them on an upward trajectory yet again," Realtor.com senior economist Joel Berner said in a statement.

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Read more: Weekly survey of mortgage lenders with the lowest rates: Rates bubble higher

Today's mortgage rates

Here are the current mortgage rates, according to the latest Zillow data, for today, Thursday, July 9, 2026:

  • 30-year fixed: 6.35%

  • 20-year fixed: 6.21%

  • 15-year fixed: 5.94%

  • 5/1 ARM: 6.35%

  • 7/1 ARM: 6.27%

  • 30-year VA: 5.93%

  • 15-year VA: 5.69%

  • 5/1 VA: 5.63%

Remember, these are the national averages and rounded to the nearest hundredth.

Read more: Here are 8 strategies for getting the lowest mortgage rate possible

Today's mortgage refinance rates

Here are today's mortgage refinance interest rates, according to the latest Zillow data, for today, Thursday, July 9, 2026:

  • 30-year fixed: 6.44%

  • 20-year fixed: 6.46%

  • 15-year fixed: 5.91%

  • 5/1 ARM: 6.45%

  • 7/1 ARM: 6%

  • 30-year VA: 5.89%

  • 15-year VA: 5.53%

  • 5/1 VA: 5.5%

Read more: Discover the best mortgage refinance lenders

As with mortgage rates for purchase, these are national averages that we've rounded to the nearest hundredth. Refinance rates can be higher than purchase mortgage rates, but that isn't always the case.

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Monthly mortgage payment calculator

Use the mortgage calculator below to see how various mortgage rates will impact your monthly payments.

Payment breakdown Amortization

Mortgage payment calculator

Home price

Down payment

Down Payment: This is the part of your home's purchase price that you pay upfront, not covered by your loan. The amount you pay as a down payment can influence your mortgage interest rate. Generally, larger down payments result in lower interest rates, as lenders see these as a sign of strong financial commitment.

Loan term

Loan Term: This refers to the duration over which you will repay your loan, typically measured in years. Opting for a longer loan term can reduce your monthly payments by spreading them out over a greater number of years, whereas shorter loan terms generally lead to higher monthly payments.

30-year fixed

Interest rate

Interest Rate: This is the annual cost you incur for borrowing money, expressed as a percentage of the loan amount. It represents the fee you pay each year to the lender for your loan.


Data is provided as-is via the Zillow Mortgage API © Zillow, Inc., 2024. Use is subject to the Zillow Terms of Use.

Interest rate provided via Real Estate on Zillow.

Enter Taxes, insurance and HOA fees

Property tax

/month

Homeowners insurance

/month

Private mortgage insurance

/month

HOA fees

/month

Mortgage payment breakdown

81% Principal & interest

13% Property tax

6% Homeowners insurance

0% Private mortgage insurance

0% HOA fees

Monthly total

$2,644

81% Principal & interest

$2,140


13% Property tax

/month


6% Homeowners insurance

/month

Taxes, insurance, HOA fees

0% Private mortgage insurance

/month


0% HOA fees

/month


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You can bookmark the Yahoo Finance mortgage payment calculator and keep it handy for future use, as you shop for homes and lenders. Be sure to use the dropdown to include private mortgage insurance costs and HOA dues if they apply to you. These monthly expenses, along with your mortgage principal and interest rate, will give you a realistic idea of what your monthly payment could be.

How do mortgage rates work?

A mortgage interest rate is the fee charged by a lender for borrowing money, expressed as a percentage. There are two basic types of mortgage rates: fixed and adjustable rates.

A fixed-rate mortgage locks in your rate for the entire life of your loan. For example, if you get a 30-year mortgage with a 6% interest rate, your rate will remain at 6% for the entire 30 years. (Unless you refinance or sell the home.)

An adjustable-rate mortgage keeps your rate the same for the first few years, then changes it periodically. Let's say you get a 5/1 ARM with an introductory rate of 6%. Your rate would be 6% for the first five years, and then the rate would increase or decrease once per year for the last 25 years of your term. Whether your rate goes up or down depends on several factors, such as the economy and the U.S. housing market.

At the beginning of your mortgage term, most of your monthly payment goes toward interest. As time passes, less of your payment goes toward interest, and more goes toward the mortgage principal or the amount you originally borrowed.

Read more: Learn how to choose between an adjustable-rate vs. fixed-rate mortgage.

How are mortgage rates determined?

Two categories determine mortgage rates: those you can control and those you cannot.

What factors can you control? First, you can compare the best mortgage lenders to find the one that gives you the lowest rate and fees.

Second, lenders typically extend lower rates to people with higher credit scores, lower debt-to-income (DTI) ratios, and considerable down payments. If you can save more or pay down debt before securing a mortgage, a lender will probably give you a better interest rate.

What factors can you not control? In short, the economy.

The list of ways the economy impacts mortgage rates is long, but here are the basic details. If the economy — for example, employment rates — is struggling, mortgage rates decrease to encourage borrowing, which helps boost the economy. If the economy is strong, mortgage rates go up to temper spending.

With all other factors being equal, mortgage refinance rates are typically slightly higher than purchase rates. So don't be surprised if your refinance rate is higher than you may have expected.

30-year vs. 15-year fixed mortgage rates

Two of the most common mortgage terms are 30-year and 15-year fixed-rate mortgages. Both lock in your rate for the entire loan term.

A 30-year mortgage is popular because it has relatively low monthly payments. But it comes with a higher interest rate than shorter terms, and because you're accumulating interest for three decades, you'll pay a lot of interest in the long run.

A 15-year mortgage can be a good choice because it has a lower rate than you'll get with longer terms, so you'll pay less in interest over the years. You'll also pay off your mortgage much faster. But your monthly payments will be higher because you're paying off the same loan amount in half the time.

Basically, 30-year mortgages are more affordable from month to month, while 15-year mortgages are cheaper in the long run.

Current mortgage rates: FAQs

What bank is offering the lowest mortgage rates?

According to Yahoo Finance's weekly survey of lenders with the lowest rates, some of the banks with the lowest median mortgage rates are Chase and Citibank. However, it's a good idea to shop around for the best rate, not just with banks, but also with credit unions and companies specializing in mortgage lending.

Is 2.75% a good mortgage rate?

Yes, 2.75% is an amazing mortgage rate. You're unlikely to get a 2.75% rate in today's market unless you take on an assumable mortgage from a seller who locked in this rate in 2020 or 2021, when rates were at all-time lows.

What is the lowest-ever mortgage rate?

According to Freddie Mac, the lowest-ever 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 2.65%. This was the national average in January 2021. It is extremely unlikely that rates will dip below 3% again anytime soon.

At what rate should you refinance your mortgage?

Some experts say it's worth refinancing when you can lock in a rate that's 2% less than your current mortgage rate. Others say 1% is the magic number. It all depends on your financial goals when refinancing, how long you plan to stay in the same house, and on your break-even point after paying the refinance closing costs.

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Want to refinance your house before the end of 2026? What you need to know. \ Mortgage rates are down, so refinancing soon could be a good idea. Here's what you should know if you want to refinance your mortgage loan in early 2026.

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Read Original at Yahoo Finance