Rate Watch Resources
Track current mortgage rates and market trends
Track current mortgage rates and trend direction using these reliable sources. Rates move daily and can change your monthly payment and affordability—use these tools to benchmark quotes and decide when to lock.
1. Bankrate - Mortgage Rates
Key Features:
- Most widely used rate comparison site in the US
- Filter by loan type (30-year/15-year fixed, ARM, etc.) and state
- Compare multiple lender quotes side-by-side
- Daily rate updates and historical data
Perfect for: Users who want to quickly see "today's average rates" while comparing multiple lender quotes
Pro tip: Bankrate shows sponsored lenders (ads) - remember to compare with non-sponsored lenders too.
2. Mortgage News Daily (MND)
Key Features:
- Industry-recognized most real-time and authoritative market average rates
- Daily updates with professional commentary
- Live rate updates and market analysis
- Rate lock recommendations and timing advice
Perfect for: Users who want to track trend direction (rate increases/decreases) rather than just lender ad quotes
Pro tip: This data shows market averages, not final rates lenders will give you when you apply, but excellent for benchmarking.
3. NerdWallet - Compare Mortgage Rates
Key Features:
- Input loan amount, down payment percentage, credit score → automatically matches lenders and shows estimated rates
- Personalized rate quotes based on your specific situation
- Side-by-side lender comparisons
- Educational content about rate factors
Perfect for: Users who want personalized comparison based on their situation (FICO score, down payment amount, home price)
Pro tip: Results are estimates - lenders may adjust rates during actual application process.
4. Zillow - Mortgage Rates
Key Features:
- Filter lenders by loan amount, property type, and state
- User-friendly interface integrated with home search
- Rate quotes while browsing homes
- Local market rate data
Perfect for: Zillow users (already browsing homes) who want to compare lenders while house hunting
Pro tip: Zillow's lender list mostly includes partners - good for reference but may not cover all banks.
5. Freddie Mac - Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS)
Key Features:
- Official weekly average mortgage rate report from government-sponsored enterprise
- Decades of historical rate data
- Long-term trend analysis
- Government-backed authority
Perfect for: Users wanting official, historical trends for long-term market assessment
Pro tip: These are national averages, not lender quotes, so can't be used for direct rate shopping.
Summary Recommendations
Real-time & Market Trends → Mortgage News Daily + Freddie Mac
Lender Quote Comparison → Bankrate / NerdWallet / Zillow
Seattle Local Context → Zillow/Bankrate with ZIP code filtering
Related Resources
- Mortgage Rates and Points — What drives rates, points vs credits, and how changes affect payments
- Choosing a Lender & Rate Lock — How to compare lenders, when/how to lock, lock durations and float-downs
- Pre-Approval vs Pre-Qualification — Why pre-approval matters before rate shopping
Rates change frequently. Always verify current rates with your lender before making decisions.