Jan 14, 2026 2 min read 0 views

Mortgage Rates Drop Following Presidential Announcement

Mortgage rates have declined after President Trump's plan to ease home affordability. Zillow reports a 30-year average of 5.86%, down 19 basis points, with a Yahoo Finance survey noting lenders offering rates near or below 5.5%.

Mortgage Rates Drop Following Presidential Announcement

Mortgage rates have moved lower in the days since President Trump announced plans to improve home affordability and reduce loan costs. Data from Zillow shows the average 30-year fixed rate is now 5.86%, a drop of 19 basis points since Friday. The 15-year average rate has also decreased to 5.28%. Zillow compiles these figures from its lender marketplace.

A weekly survey by Yahoo Finance of lenders with competitive rates found two top-five lenders offering loan rates close to or under 5.5%.

Current mortgage rates, based on the latest Zillow data, include a 30-year fixed at 5.86%, a 20-year fixed at 5.73%, and a 15-year fixed at 5.28%. Adjustable-rate mortgages such as the 5/1 ARM stand at 6.15% and the 7/1 ARM at 6.12. VA loan rates are 5.52% for 30-year terms and 5.01% for 15-year terms. These numbers represent national averages rounded to the nearest hundredth.

Refinance rates are typically higher than purchase rates. Zillow data lists a 30-year fixed refinance rate at 5.99%, a 20-year fixed at 5.76%, and a 15-year fixed at 5.43%. Adjustable refinance rates include 6.40% for 5/1 ARMs and 6.64% for 7/1 ARMs. VA refinance rates are 5.46% for 30-year and 5.11% for 15-year terms. Again, these are national averages.

For a $400,000 mortgage, a 30-year loan at 5.86% results in a monthly payment of about $2,391 toward principal and interest, with total interest reaching $361,481. A 15-year mortgage at 5.28% leads to a monthly payment of approximately $3,551 and total interest of $179,928. Borrowers can make extra payments on a 30-year loan to reduce interest costs.

Fixed-rate mortgages lock in the rate from the start, while adjustable-rate mortgages maintain a set rate for an initial period before adjusting annually. ARMs may start lower but can increase after the lock period ends.

According to Zillow, today's 30-year fixed rate is 5.86% for purchases and 5.99% for refinances, with variations possible by location and individual finances. Forecasts from the MBA and Fannie Mae suggest rates may remain around 6% through 2026, with little change expected in 2027.

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