Mortgage Rates Today — August 26, 2026

Today’s index numbers

• 30-year fixed: 6.65% (−0.02 vs. prior week) — Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey via FRED, week of August 20, 2026. The next survey publishes Thursday, August 27.
• 15-year fixed: 5.95% (−0.01 vs. prior week) — Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey, week of August 20, 2026
• Daily rate index: 6.74% 30-year fixed (−0.04 on the day) — Mortgage News Daily, as of August 25, 2026. The same index shows FHA 30-year at 6.32%, VA 30-year at 6.34%, jumbo 30-year at 6.88% and the 7/6 ARM at 6.30%.
• Daily rate-lock index (Optimal Blue): shown live in the widget on the home page.

These are national survey and index averages, not an offer.

What moved rates

Tuesday was the best day for mortgage pricing in about a week, and the reason had little to do with the Federal Reserve. Reports of progress in peace negotiations sent oil prices sharply lower, and bond yields followed; Mortgage News Daily’s daily index fell 0.04 to 6.74%, its best reading in nearly a week. The 10-year Treasury yield closed near 4.65%, and the commentary from the bond desk was blunt: fuel prices are dictating most of the day-to-day momentum in interest rates right now, because energy feeds directly into the inflation numbers the Fed watches.

The weekly picture is calmer. Freddie Mac’s survey, which lags the daily indices by a few days, still shows 6.65% for the 30-year fixed and 5.95% for the 15-year, both a hair lower than the prior week. Thursday’s new survey will capture this week’s improvement if it holds. The Fed’s policy rate remains at 3.50%–3.75% after the July 28–29 meeting, with the next decision on September 15–16; before then, the August jobs report on September 4 is the single data release most likely to move mortgage rates.

The daily indices continue to sit above the weekly survey, which is normal: Freddie Mac surveys rates quoted to strong borrowers paying points, while the daily indices read actual lender rate sheets and locks at the end of each day.

What it means if you are…

Buying. A 0.04 move on a day is real but small. On a $400,000 loan it is worth roughly $11 a month. What matters more is that the range has held in the mid-to-high 6s for weeks, so a budget built on today’s numbers is not likely to be far off at closing. If you are shopping, the useful comparison is between offers on the same day, using the Loan Estimate’s rate and APR together.

Refinancing. The question is the gap between your current rate and today’s average, not the direction of a single day. Homeowners who financed in the 7s during 2023 and 2024 are the ones for whom the arithmetic has started to work; the refinance savings check on this site runs that break-even.

Under contract. Rates that improve on geopolitical headlines can give the improvement back on the next headline. A lock decision should follow your closing date and your tolerance for payment changes; a day like Tuesday is a reason to have the conversation, not a reason to wait for more.

What a $400,000 loan looks like at today’s average

At 6.65% on a 30-year fixed, principal and interest on a $400,000 loan is approximately $2,568 per month (6.65% ÷ 12 = 0.5542% monthly rate, over 360 payments). At the daily index reading of 6.74%, the same loan is approximately $2,592. These figures exclude property taxes, homeowners insurance, flood insurance, mortgage insurance and any association dues; the actual monthly obligation will be greater.

Florida note

Late August is the middle of hurricane season, and Florida buyers under contract should confirm that a wind and flood insurance binder can be issued before closing; insurers routinely pause new policies when a named storm is in the Gulf or the Atlantic basin, which can push a closing date. Add the state documentary stamp tax (0.35% of the note) and intangible tax (0.2% of the mortgage) to any closing-cost estimate.

Rates shown could change or may not be available at commitment or closing. For a quote on your own scenario, use the rate-quote form on this page.

Daily Mortgage Rates is published by PMF, Inc. d/b/a Pioneer Mortgage Funding, NMLS #1980 · Branch NMLS #2681379 · Loan Originator: Brendin Straubel, NMLS #1757609 · 401 E Jackson St, Suite 2340, Tampa, FL 33602 · 813-728-7764 · [email protected]. Verify licensing at nmlsconsumeraccess.org. Not a commitment to lend. All loans subject to credit approval.