Mortgage and Refinance Rates – November 17, 2025 (Simple Summary)

Earlier this year, mortgage rates were above 7%. Now they’ve dropped.

According to Zillow, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 6.07%, and the 15-year fixed rate is 5.54%.

With rates this low, many buyers are deciding whether a 30-year or 15-year loan is better for them.

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Current Mortgage Rates (Zillow)

• 30-year fixed: 6.07%

• 20-year fixed: 5.99%

• 15-year fixed: 5.54%

• 5/1 ARM: 6.21%

• 7/1 ARM: 6.29%

• 30-year VA: 5.60%

• 15-year VA: 5.22%

• 5/1 VA: 5.20%

These are average national rates, rounded to the nearest hundredth.

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Current Refinance Rates

• 30-year fixed: 6.20%

• 20-year fixed: 6.26%

• 15-year fixed: 5.74%

• 5/1 ARM: 6.42%

• 7/1 ARM: 6.58%

• 30-year VA: 5.58%

• 15-year VA: 5.45%

• 5/1 VA: 5.39%

Refinance rates are usually slightly higher than purchase rates, but not always.

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Choosing Between a 30-Year and 15-Year Mortgage

• A 30-year loan has lower monthly payments, but you pay more interest over time.

• A 15-year loan has higher monthly payments, but you pay off your home faster and save a lot on interest.

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Use a Mortgage Calculator

Yahoo Finance has a free mortgage calculator that helps you see how your monthly payment changes when you adjust:

• loan term (30 vs. 15 years),

• interest rate,

• property taxes,

• homeowners insurance.

This gives a more accurate estimate of your true monthly housing cost—not just the loan payment.

BY. @RSW