6.849% APR

Compare today's FHA mortgage rates

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About These Rates: The lenders whose rates appear on this table are NerdWallet’s advertising partners. NerdWallet strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. This information may be different than what you see when you visit a lender’s site. The terms advertised here are not offers and do not bind any lender. The rates shown here are retrieved via the Mortech rate engine and are subject to change. These rates do not include taxes, fees, and insurance. Your actual rate and loan terms will be determined by the partner’s assessment of your creditworthiness and other factors. Any potential savings figures are estimates based on the information provided by you and our advertising partners.


Trends and insights

Mortgage rate trends (APR)

NerdWallet’s mortgage rate insight

6.849%
30-year fixed-rate

On Tuesday, March 19th, 2024, the average APR on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell 8 basis points to 6.849%. The average APR on a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage remained at 6.175% and the average APR for a 5-year adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) fell 8 basis points to 7.731%, according to rates provided to NerdWallet by Zillow. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is 15 basis points higher than one week ago and 37 basis points higher than one year ago.

A basis point is one one-hundredth of one percent. Rates are expressed as annual percentage rate, or APR.

Current mortgage and refinance rates

ProductInterest rateAPR
30-year fixed-rate6.763%6.849%
20-year fixed-rate6.638%6.741%
15-year fixed-rate6.034%6.175%
10-year fixed-rate5.829%6.023%
7-year ARM6.900%7.637%
5-year ARM6.782%7.731%
3-year ARM6.125%7.204%
30-year fixed-rate FHA5.795%6.608%
30-year fixed-rate VA5.952%6.336%

Data source: ©Zillow, Inc. 2006 – 2021. Use is subject to the Terms of Use

Best Lenders for FHA Loans in March 2024

A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO FHA LOANS
Holden Lewis
By
Last updated on March 6, 2024
Edited by
✅ Fact checked
Mary Makarushka
Edited by
✅ Fact checked

What is an FHA loan?

An FHA loan is a mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration. FHA-insured mortgages are available with a 3.5% down payment for borrowers with credit scores of 580 or higher. FHA loans are well-suited for home buyers who have little saved for a down payment, credit challenges or both. FHA loans are popular among first-time home buyers.

FHA-insured mortgages can be used for purchases and refinances for a variety of home types, including single-family houses, two- to four-unit multifamily buildings, condominiums and manufactured homes that are attached to a permanent foundation. Both fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages are available.

How to find FHA interest rates today

NerdWallet’s mortgage rate tool can help you find competitive FHA mortgage rates today that are tailored to meet your needs. Click "More Filters," or tap "Filter and Sort," and select "I'm eligible" under "FHA Loan Eligibility." After updating, you can see an interest rate quote without providing personal information.

FHA loan rates vary by lender

You can save money by comparison shopping because each lender offers its own combination of interest rate and fees.

If you’re approved, each lender will provide you with a Loan Estimate form. This will let you compare interest rates, origination fees and closing costs. Comparing Loan Estimates from more than one lender will give you confidence that you’re getting the right loan for your situation.

FHA loan pros and cons

Pros

  • An FHA loan is a popular option for first-time home buyers who need a low down payment requirement. If you qualify, you can get a mortgage with as little as 3.5% down.

  • FHA loans are beneficial for those who have weak or damaged credit. If you’ve had financial difficulties in the past or you just haven’t had time to build a strong history of on-time payments, an FHA loan could address your mortgage needs.

  • When you make a down payment of less than 20%, you're usually required to get mortgage insurance. With some combinations of down payment size and credit score, FHA insurance costs less than private mortgage insurance on a conventional loan.

  • Not only can FHA loans be used to buy detached single-family homes, multifamily homes, townhomes and condos, they can also be used to buy manufactured and mobile homes. A variation of the FHA loan, called the 203(k), allows you to finance both a home purchase and necessary renovations with the same mortgage.

Cons

  • You’ll have to pay FHA mortgage insurance premiums every month. Mortgage insurance protects the lender’s stake in the loan if you default, but the premiums increase your monthly payments. FHA mortgage insurance can’t be canceled, so the way to get rid of it, once you have enough equity, is to refinance the loan. In contrast, you can cancel private mortgage insurance when your mortgage balance reaches 80% of the home's value.

  • Homes and condos purchased with FHA loans must meet HUD’s minimum property requirements. This means you’ll be required to pay for an FHA appraisal, which is more rigorous than a conventional appraisal and separate from the home inspection.

Learn more about FHA loans:


About the author: Holden is NerdWallet's authority on mortgages and real estate. He has reported on mortgages since 2001, winning multiple awards.

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