Here Are Today’s Mortgage Refinance Rates: August 21, 2025 – Rates Rise

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The rate on a 30-year fixed refinance climbed to 6.62% today, according to the Mortgage Research Center. Rates averaged 5.54% for a 15-year financed mortgage and 6.35% for a 20-year financed mortgage.

Related: Compare Current Refinance Rates

30-Year Fixed Refinance Interest Rates Climb 0.96%

At 6.62%, the average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage refinance is up 0.96% from a week ago.

The 30-year fixed mortgage refi APR (annual percentage rate) is 6.64%. At this time last week, it was 6.58%. The APR represents the all-in cost of your loan.

At today’s interest rate of 6.62%, borrowers with a 30-year fixed-rate refinance mortgage of $100,000 will pay $640 per month in principal and interest (taxes and fees not included), the Forbes Advisor mortgage calculator shows. In total interest, you’d pay $130,917 over the life of the loan.

20-Year Refi Rates Climb 1.15%

The 20-year fixed mortgage refinance average rate stands at 6.35%, versus 6.28% last week.

The APR, or annual percentage rate, on a 20-year fixed mortgage is 6.39%. It was 6.32% last week.

At the current interest rate, a 20-year, fixed-rate mortgage refinance of $100,000 would cost $737 per month in principal and interest. That doesn’t include taxes and fees. That borrower would pay roughly $77,373 in total interest over the life of the loan.

15-Year Fixed Refinance Rates Climb 1.97%

The average interest rate on the 15-year fixed refinance mortgage is 5.54%. A week ago, the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage was at 5.43%.

The annual percentage rate on a 15-year fixed is 5.58%. Last week, it was 5.48%.

At today’s interest rate, a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage would cost approximately $819 per month in principal and interest per $100,000 borrowed. You would pay around $47,879 in total interest over the life of the loan.

30-Year Jumbo Refinance Interest Rates Climb 1.34%

The average interest rate on the 30-year fixed-rate jumbo mortgage refinance (a loan above the federal conforming loan limit of $806,500 in most places) inched up week-over-week to 6.73%. A week ago, the average rate was 6.64%.

Borrowers with a 30-year fixed-rate jumbo mortgage refinance with today’s interest rate will pay $647 per month in principal and interest per $100,000 borrowed.

15-Year Jumbo Refinance Rates Climb 1.61%

A 15-year, fixed-rate jumbo mortgage refinance is 5.94% on average, up 1.61% from last week.

At today’s interest rate, a borrower with a 15-year, fixed-rate jumbo refinance would pay $840 per month in principal and interest per $100,000 borrowed. Over the life of the loan, that borrower would pay around $51,525 in total interest.

Are Refinance Rates and Mortgage Rates the Same?

Refinance rates are different from mortgage rates and tend to be slightly higher. The rate difference can vary by program and is something to consider as you compare the best mortgage refinance lenders.

In addition to having different refinance rates for conventional, FHA, VA and jumbo applications, cash-out refinance rates are higher as you’re borrowing from your available equity.

Rates for government-backed loan programs such as FHA and VA mortgage refinances can be lower than a conventional or jumbo refinance, as there is less risk for lenders. Still, you should compare your estimated loan’s annual percentage rate (APR), which includes all additional fees and determines the interest charges.

When considering a mortgage refinance, compare your current interest rate, mortgage balance and loan term with the new interest rate and term. This comparison helps you estimate your new monthly payment and savings, making it easier to determine if refinancing is the right choice.

When Refinancing Makes Sense

There are lots of good reasons to  refinance your mortgage, but for most homeowners, it comes down to lowering the interest rate, reducing monthly payments or paying off the loan more quickly. Refinancing can also allow you to tap some of your home’s equity or eliminate private mortgage insurance (PMI).

It’s important to keep in mind that refinancing carries costs, and for that reason makes more sense if you plan to stay in your home for some time. It can be helpful to calculate the “break-even point” for a potential refinance – to see how long it will take for savings from the new mortgage to outweigh closing costs. Try to find out what those fees will be and divide them by the monthly savings from the new mortgage.

Check out our mortgage refinance calculator to help you decide if this is a good time to refinance.

How To Get Today’s Best Refinance Rates

Refinancing a mortgage isn’t that different than taking out a mortgage in the first place, and it’s always smart to have a strategy for finding the lowest rate possible. Here are some suggested approaches to get the best rate:

  • Polish up your credit score
  • Lower your debt-to-income ratio
  • Keep an eye on mortgage rates
  • Consider a shorter loan

Having a strong credit score is one of the best things you can do to get approved and get a lower rate. You’re also likely to look better to mortgage refinance lenders if you don’t have too much debt relative to your income. You should keep a regular watch on mortgage rates, which fluctuate often. Also see if you can manage a mortgage payment for a shorter loan term since they usually have lower interest rates.

Refinancing Rate Outlook for 2025

National average mortgage rates have remained in the middle-to-high 6% range since the final quarter of 2024, and experts expect this trend to continue throughout the first half of 2025.

Although forecasting mortgage interest rates is challenging, economic indicators like inflation and unemployment rates can provide insights into the direction of the housing market. For example, if inflation slows and national unemployment levels remain stable or rise, the Federal Reserve may cut the federal funds rate, which could lead to lower mortgage rates. On the other hand, if inflation stays high and unemployment decreases, rates are likely to remain steady.

Since mortgage rates are expected to experience minimal movement in the first half of the year, those looking to refinance at a lower rate should consider waiting until later in the year. In the meantime, improving your credit score and making on-time payments will allow you to secure the best possible rate when you begin shopping for refinance offers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much does it cost to refinance a mortgage?

It can cost as much as 2% to 6% of the full cost of the loan to refinance a mortgage. Make sure to find out the exact closing costs from your lender.

How quickly can you refinance a mortgage?

You can usually refinance a mortgage in as quickly as 45 to 60 days, but it depends on many factors – like the type of home loan you choose. Always check with your lender before committing to borrow.

How do you find the best refinancing lender?

Our guide to the best mortgage refinance lenders is a good starting point, but make sure you compare multiple lenders and get more than one quote. It’s always a good idea to find out the closing costs lenders charge, and also to make sure you can communicate easily with your lender. Conditions in the housing market change frequently, so being able to depend on your lender is crucial.