Last updated: September 20, 2026 · Rates verified: August 11, 2026
Key takeaways
- San Diego County Credit Union and SECU Maryland tie for the best tracked mortgage rate at 5.25% APR, verified August 10, 2026.
- That rate is 1.47 percentage points below the 6.72% national average.
- On a $400,000 loan, a gap this size can mean tens of thousands of dollars in interest over the life of the mortgage.
- Advertised rates reflect best-qualified-borrower offers -- comparing multiple lenders is the reliable way to find your real rate.
What Actually Determines Your Mortgage Rate
Mortgage lenders price rates based on the risk they perceive in lending to a specific borrower for 15 or 30 years. A stronger credit score, a larger down payment, and a shorter loan term all typically earn a lower rate, while broader market conditions set the range every lender is working within.
Top Mortgage Rates Right Now
| Lender | APR |
|---|---|
| San Diego County Credit Union | 5.25% |
| SECU Maryland | 5.25% |
| Superior Funding Corporation | 5.38% |
| UniBank for Savings | 5.38% |
| LGE Community Credit Union | 5.50% |
San Diego County Credit Union and SECU Maryland share the lowest tracked rate at 5.25% APR, verified August 10, 2026 — a 1.47 percentage point gap below the 6.72% national average. That gap is meaningful: on a $400,000 loan, it can mean tens of thousands of dollars in interest over the life of the mortgage.
Why Shopping Multiple Lenders Pays Off
Since your specific rate depends on your own credit profile and down payment, the rates above represent what these lenders are currently offering their best-qualified borrowers — not a guaranteed quote for everyone. Getting quotes from several lenders, including credit unions like the ones leading this list, is the most reliable way to find out what you'll actually qualify for.
Fixed vs. Adjustable Rates
The rates compared above reflect each lender's best available offer, but don't necessarily specify whether that's a fixed-rate or adjustable-rate mortgage — a real distinction worth confirming before comparing two lenders' quotes directly against each other. A fixed rate stays the same for the entire loan term, giving you a predictable payment for the life of the loan. An adjustable-rate mortgage typically starts with a lower introductory rate that can then move up or down after a set period, which trades initial savings for rate uncertainty later on.
Points — an upfront fee paid at closing to buy down your interest rate — are another variable that can make two lenders' headline rates hard to compare directly. A lower advertised rate that requires paying points may not actually be the cheaper option once that upfront cost is factored in, especially if you don't plan to stay in the home long enough to recoup it.
Frequently asked questions
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