Mortgage Rates Today, Friday, March 13: Kind of a Big Jump
Mortgage rates rose back over 6% today amid global uncertainty.
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Editor & Content Strategist If you're here looking for lower mortgage interest rates, today is not your day.
The average interest rate on a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage jumped to 6.1% APR, according to rates provided to NerdWallet by Zillow. This is 11 basis points higher than yesterday and 14 basis points higher than a week ago. (See our chart below for more specifics.) A basis point is one one-hundredth of a percentage point.
Keep in mind that mortgage rates are always on the move, and that if you're tracking rates day-to-day, you're going to see a lot of volatility. Zooming out and looking at the bigger picture — like a graph showing at least a month's worth of rate data — can help you see the overall trend.
And as far as larger trends go, today’s rates are down more than 50 basis points from this time last year: During the second week of March 2025, 30-year APRs averaged 6.62%. If you’re comfortable with today’s rates near 6%, it’s a good time to buy or refinance.
While the economy never sleeps, markets are closed on the weekends. The rates you see Friday are unlikely to change much (if at all) until Monday.
Average mortgage rates, last 30 days
» Take the next step: Compare mortgage rates from NerdWallet’s top lenders
📉 When will mortgage rates drop?
Mortgage rates are constantly changing, since a major part of how rates are set depends on reactions to new inflation reports, job numbers, Fed meetings, global news ... you name it. For example, even tiny changes in the bond market can shift mortgage pricing.
Next week, all eyes are on the Federal Reserve. Central bankers at the Fed are scheduled to meet March 17-18, when they’re widely expected to keep the federal funds rate as-is in the face of economic uncertainty. (The federal funds rate indirectly influences mortgage rates.) The Fed is tasked with balancing inflation with the employment situation, which looks weaker than expected: February’s jobs report showed the U.S. lost 92,000 jobs last month, compared to a projected gain of 50,000.
Meanwhile, we got two major inflation reports this week. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed that inflation remained steady in February at 2.4%. The Personal Consumption Expenditures (CPE) — the Fed’s preferred measure, released this morning — showed core inflation at 2.8% and signs of weaker consumer spending in January.
That isn’t a red flag on its own, but today’s CPE report is already out of date. The U.S. has since entered a new (potentially costly) war in the Middle East, and any effects of this on inflation, such as higher energy prices, aren’t reflected in this data yet.
“This means things could be more fragile right now than we know,” says Elizabeth Renter, NerdWallet senior economist. “Keep in mind, this is January data, and a lot has happened in the past several weeks. A weaker jobs report for February and inflation that remained above target before the war in Iran began all set the stage for potential fragility.”
After attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping route, nervous markets have already sent oil prices surging. When oil supply drops, unemployment and inflation can go up — rippling through the economy to disrupt those steady near-6% mortgage rates we’ve all gotten accustomed to since January.
» Learn more: How the Fed affects mortgage rates
🔁 Should I refinance?
Refinancing might make sense if today’s rates are at least 0.5 to 0.75 of a percentage point lower than your current rate (and if you plan to stay in your home long enough to break even on closing costs).
With rates where they are right now, you may want to start considering a refi if your current rate is around 6.6% or higher.
Also consider your goals: Are you trying to lower your monthly payment, shorten your loan term or turn home equity into cash? For example, you might be more comfortable with paying a higher rate for a cash-out refinance than you would for a rate-and-term refinance, so long as the overall costs are lower than if you kept your original mortgage and added a HELOC or home equity loan.
If you're looking for a lower rate, use NerdWallet's refinance calculator to estimate savings and understand how long it would take to break even on the costs of refinancing.
» Time to refi? Compare refinance rates from NerdWallet’s top lenders
🏡 Should I start shopping for a home?
There is no universal “right” time to start shopping — what matters is whether you can comfortably afford a mortgage now at today’s rates.
If the answer is yes, don’t get too hung up on whether you could be missing out on lower rates later; you can refinance down the road. Focus on getting preapproved, comparing lender offers, and understanding what monthly payment works for your budget.
NerdWallet’s affordability calculator can help you estimate your potential monthly payment. If a new home isn’t in the cards right now, there are still things you can do to strengthen your buyer profile. Take this time to pay down existing debts and build your down payment savings. Not only will this free up more cash flow for a future mortgage payment, it can also get you a better interest rate when you’re ready to buy.
» Is now a good time to buy? See NerdWallet’s analysis
🔒 Should I lock my rate?
If you already have a quote you’re happy with, you should consider locking your mortgage rate, especially if your lender offers a float-down option. A float-down lets you take advantage of a better rate if the market drops during your lock period.
Rate locks protect you from increases while your loan is processed, and with the market forever bouncing around, that peace of mind can be worth it.
🤓 Nerdy Reminder: Rates can change daily, and even hourly. If you’re happy with the deal you have, it’s okay to commit.
» Stay informed: Check out NerdWallet's mortgage news hub for all our latest coverage.
🧐 Why is the rate I saw online different from the quote I got?
The rate you see advertised is a sample rate — usually for a borrower with perfect credit, making a big down payment, and paying for mortgage points. That won't match every buyer's circumstances.
In addition to market factors outside of your control, your customized quote depends on your:
- Credit score
- Debt-to-income ratio
- Employment history
- Down payment
- Type of mortgage
- Location and property type
- Loan amount
Even two people with similar credit scores might get different rates, depending on their overall financial profiles.
» Get the best rate for you: How to get the best mortgage rate
👀 If I apply now, can I get the rate I saw today?
Maybe — but even personalized rate quotes can change until you lock. That’s because lenders adjust pricing multiple times a day in response to market changes.
» Doing your research? Compare NerdWallet’s best mortgage lenders
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