Mortgage rates today sit at 6.73% for the 30-year fixed; see the latest daily averages, refinance spreads, and what the data say for August 18, 2026.
As of Tuesday, August 18, 2026, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate stands at 6.73 percent, according to the latest daily survey data. That figure is two basis points above Monday’s 6.71 percent reading and remains 12 basis points below the recent peak of 6.85 percent recorded earlier this month. Rates are quoted for well-qualified borrowers with at least 20 percent equity and a 740-plus FICO; actual pricing varies with credit profile, loan-to-value, and chosen lender.
The week opened with modest volatility. On Monday, August 17, the 30-year fixed climbed one basis point to 6.58 percent APR before rebounding to 6.69 percent by the close of business, per The Mortgage Reports’ afternoon update. Tuesday’s 6.73 percent print therefore represents a net two-day increase of four basis points. The 15-year fixed, meanwhile, eased one basis point on Monday to 5.94 percent and held that level into Tuesday.
Refinance pricing continues to carry a premium. The average 30-year refinance rate is 6.81 percent, six basis points higher than the purchase-money equivalent. The 15-year refinance average sits at 6.19 percent.
| Loan Type | Rate (Aug 18) | APR* | 1-Day Change | 7-Day Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30-yr Fixed Purchase | 6.73% | 6.80% | +0.02% | +0.04% |
| 30-yr Fixed Refinance | 6.81% | 6.88% | +0.03% | +0.05% |
| 15-yr Fixed Purchase | 5.94% | 6.02% | 0.00% | –0.02% |
| 15-yr Fixed Refinance | 6.19% | 6.27% | +0.01% | +0.01% |
*APR includes typical lender fees; sourced from aggregated lender feeds and FRED daily series.
Bond-market pricing remains the dominant influence. The 10-year Treasury yield finished Monday at 4.29 percent, up three basis points on the day and 11 basis points above its level seven days earlier. Mortgage spreads over Treasuries have tightened slightly, muting some of the upward pressure on consumer rates. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s weekly survey of primary dealers shows expectations for no policy-rate change at the September FOMC meeting, reducing the chance of an immediate repricing event.
Rate sheets continue to show modest geographic variation. In the Seattle metro, top-tier 30-year fixed pricing averages 6.71 percent, two basis points below the national print, while the Dallas-Fort Worth market prints at 6.78 percent. Florida coastal markets remain at 6.76 percent. These spreads reflect differences in average credit scores, property values, and servicer concentration rather than any regulatory disparity.
With the 30-year fixed now 0.04 percent higher than one week ago, borrowers who have not yet locked should weigh the cost of further upside versus the security of today’s rate. Float-down options, available from roughly 60 percent of lenders, typically cost 0.125–0.25 point and allow one downward adjustment if rates fall before closing. Historical volatility data from FRED indicate that daily moves of five basis points or more occur about 18 percent of the time; therefore, the probability of a material decline before month-end is statistically balanced against an equivalent rise.
Mortgage rates today are anchored at 6.73 percent for the 30-year fixed. Shop multiple lenders, compare APRs rather than note rates alone, and run live scenarios at HomeRates.ai to quantify how a 0.125 percent rate movement would affect your payment and break-even timeline.
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