Mortgage rates continued to march higher, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association, with the 30-year fixed rate surging 14 basis points to 7.67%. However, adjustable mortgage rates ticked down, resulting in an increase in ARM applications.

Mortgage interest rates were widely expected to fall throughout 2023 but have remained elevated well into the third quarter of the year. Here are the current mortgage rates, as of Oct. 11:

  • 30-year fixed: 7.67% with 0.75 points (previous week: 7.53% with 0.8 points).
  • 15-year fixed: 6.97% with 1.18 points (previous week: 6.86% with 1.14 points).
  • 5/1 ARM: 6.33% with 0.9 points (previous week: 6.49% with 1.21 points).
  • 30-year jumbo loans: 7.7% with 0.57 points (previous week: 7.51% with 0.74 points).
  • 30-year FHA loans: 7.4% with 1.08 points (previous week: 7.29% with 1.01 points).

A mortgage is a loan from a bank or other lender used to buy or refinance a home.

Mortgages are secured loans: The property acts as collateral as you repay the loan in monthly installments, including interest, often over 15 to 30 years. If you fail to pay, the lender can foreclose on your home.

Find the Mortgage That’s Right for You

Your mortgage interest rate is the annual cost of your loan amount, expressed as a percentage of the total loan amount. It does not include fees and other costs. A 5% interest rate on a mortgage means you will pay 5% of your loan's balance in interest each year. Your mortgage also has an annual percentage rate that reflects your interest rate plus other charges, such as most closing costs, discount points and origination fees.

Mortgage interest rates can be fixed or adjustable. Whether a fixed- or adjustable-rate mortgage is best can depend on market conditions, your finances and how long you plan to keep your mortgage.

Pros:

  • Buying a home if you can't afford to pay cash for it.
  • Building equity as your home typically appreciates.
  • Improving your credit score with consistent, on-time mortgage payments.
  • Claiming money-saving tax breaks.
  • Allowing you control over home improvements and upgrades.

Cons:

  • Budgeting for property taxes, homeowners association fees and repairs.
  • Meeting certain credit score and debt-to-income, or DTI, requirements.
  • Having to pay a down payment, closing costs and other upfront expenses.
  • Having less flexibility if you want to move for a job or to care for a loved one.

You will find plenty of mortgage options if a down payment has been a roadblock to homeownership. Note that you will usually need to pay private mortgage insurance with less than 20% down, however.

No-down-payment mortgages: Try certain government-backed loans. You may qualify for a VA loan with no down payment and no PMI, or a USDA loan with nothing down and PMI.

Low down-payment mortgages: Put down 3% for some conventional loans and 3.5% for FHA loans with at least a fair credit score on the FICO scale. FHA loans require you to carry mortgage insurance and conventional loans require it if your down payment is low.

How Do You Get Preapproved for a Mortgage?

Before you begin to browse homes, you should start the mortgage preapproval process. Getting preapproved for a mortgage allows you to compare your estimated mortgage rate across multiple lenders before you formally apply. Some sellers only work with preapproved buyers, plus preapproval allows you to make an offer as soon as you find a place you love.

Here's how the mortgage preapproval process works:

  • Check and improve your credit.
  • Apply with a few lenders to allow for comparison shopping.

  • Compare offers and choose a mortgage lender.

The mortgage process looks different depending on whether you are purchasing or refinancing a home. Here are some of the basic steps involved in getting a mortgage to buy a house:

  1. Apply for the mortgage.
  2. Review your loan estimate.
  3. Lock in your mortgage rate.
  4. Purchase discount points, if any.
  5. Schedule a home inspection.
  6. Pay for a home appraisal.
  7. Purchase homeowners insurance.
  8. Budget time for mortgage processing.
  9. Review the closing disclosure.
  10. Close on the loan.

READ: 

Complete Timeline of the Mortgage Process

Buy a house in cash. Though, the vast majority of buyers need to finance their home purchase, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Ask for a loan from a family member. Make sure the terms of the loan are clear and in writing. Keep in mind that borrowing money from a loved one can strain your relationship, however.

Look into seller financing. The seller acts as the lender in this type of real estate agreement. Seller financing could mean lower closing costs and flexible terms. On the other hand, sellers offer fewer buyer protections and may charge higher interest rates compared with traditional lenders.

Rent to own. A portion of your monthly rent is credited toward the purchase of the home at the end of the lease. If you change your mind, you will lose the extra rent money and any fee that holds your chance to buy the home.

SEE: 

How to Get a Mortgage for a Rental Property.

Hold off on buying a home. Wait a few years until you have more in your savings account. Although a 20% down payment is the rule of thumb, you can still qualify with smaller amounts. If you're young, you will also have a chance to build more credit history and figure out where you want to live.

U.S. News selects the Best Loan Companies by evaluating affordability, borrower eligibility criteria and customer service. Those with the highest overall scores are considered the best lenders.

To calculate each score, we use data about the lender and its loan offerings, giving greater weight to factors that matter most to borrowers. For mortgage lenders, we take into account each company’s customer service ratings, interest rates, loan product availability, minimum down payment, minimum FICO score and online features.

The weight each scoring factor receives is based on a nationwide survey on what borrowers look for in a lender.

To receive a rating, lenders must offer qualifying loans nationwide and have a good reputation within the industry. Read more about our methodology.

To recap, here are the picks:

Best Mortgage Lenders of October 2023

The right mortgage for you will depend on your finances, plans and preferences. Here are common types of mortgages:

Conventional mortgages. These mortgages are not guaranteed by the federal government and are funded by private lenders. You may need a minimum credit score of 620, a maximum debt-to-income ratio of 43% and a down payment of at least 3% to qualify.

Government-backed mortgages. You may have more success getting one of these loans than a conventional loan because a government agency insures it, reducing the lender's risk. These loans are issued by private lenders and guaranteed by the government:

Jumbo mortgages. Jumbo loans exceed conforming loan limits set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency and have stricter qualification standards because of the risk to lenders.

Balloon mortgages. These home loans feature lower monthly payments paired with a larger lump-sum payment during the loan term.

Mortgage lenders want to know the risk of lending you money. A lender will look at not only your credit history but also your income, down payment and other key factors when reviewing your application. Here's what lenders will consider when determining your eligibility for a mortgage and, ultimately, your interest rate:

Credit score. Your credit score is a major factor, but the minimum credit score to buy a house can vary by lender and loan program.

DTI ratio. Your DTI is the percentage of your monthly income that is spent on repaying debt.

Down payment. Your down payment is the amount you pay upfront for the property, while the mortgage covers the rest. A larger down payment can lead to a lower interest rate on your mortgage.

Loan amount. The larger your mortgage, the greater the risk for your lender. Lenders limit risk by following government loan limits. If you want to buy a property that costs more than these limits, you can apply for a jumbo loan.

Loan term. The term is how long you have to repay the loan. The longer the term, the lower your monthly payments. A longer term typically has a higher interest rate and higher total costs compared with a shorter loan term.

Loan type. Make sure you understand your options to choose the right type of mortgage for your credit profile and your budget.

You can evaluate mortgage companies based on four key factors:

  • Interest rates. Because mortgage rates can vary by lender and loan type, you may find a deal by comparison shopping.
  • Closing costs. When you factor in closing costs, which can include application, appraisal and loan origination fees, the lender with the lowest rate may not offer the best overall mortgage costs. Compare costs between lenders using the APRs.
  • Loan types. Look for a mortgage lender in your state with options that work for you, whether that's a 30-year fixed-rate loan, a VA loan or something else.
  • Customer service reviews. Use customer service feedback to research each lender's performance. Lenders should not only offer great loan rates but also treat customers well.

Jessica Merritt, Contributor

Jessica Merritt has contributed to U.S. News since 2017 as a writer and editor specializing in personal finance. Merritt worked closely with U.S. News from 2018 to 2020 to plan, edit and write credit cards and loans content. Read More

Erika Giovanetti, Loans Expert and Reporter

Erika Giovanetti is the loans expert for U.S. News & World Report. She offers analysis on a range of personal finance topics, from mortgage rate trends to student loan debt. Consumers can count on her for advice on buying a home, borrowing money for college, slashing credit card balances, negotiating medical bills, creating a budget and more.
Read More