As of today, October 18, 2021, the 10-year fixed mortgage rate is 2.41%, 10/1 ARM is 3.01% and 10/6 ARM is 4.05%. These rates are not the teaser rates you may see advertised online and based on our methodology should be more representative of what customers could expect to be quoted depending on their qualifications. You can learn more about what makes our rates different in the Methodology section of this page.
Finding the best 10-year mortgage rates would mean that you’ll be able to save the most money on your mortgage. That’s because 10-year mortgage rates tend to be lower than other terms. Plus, with the shorter loan term, getting a 10-year mortgage will save you tens of thousands of dollars in interest over the lifetime of the loan. It’s also a popular choice for existing homeowners who want to refinance but don’t want to reset the clock on a longer-term mortgage, especially those who don’t have much left on their loan.
There is one major caveat: 10-year mortgages come with a higher monthly payment. For those who can afford the payments, this type of mortgage is well worth it. To help you make the best decision for your borrowing needs, let’s take a look at the best rates and other considerations like how to qualify for a 10-year mortgage.
Today’s 10-Year Mortgage Rates
Today’s Rates For All Mortgage Loan Types
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a 10-Year Mortgage?
A 10-year mortgage is a home loan that allows borrowers to pay off their debt in full in 10 years. This is the shortest term for a fixed-rate mortgage, and monthly payments comprise both the principal and interest. Rates tend to be the lowest compared to 30-year, 20-year, and 15-year mortgages. However, because of the shorter term, monthly payments will be much more than loans with longer terms.
All the above should not be confused with a 10-year adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) loan. An ARM loan has a term longer than 10 years; it is often a 30-year mortgage. How a 10-year ARM works is that the initial interest rate is fixed for the first 10 years, then it’ll be adjusted based on current market conditions. A 10-year mortgage has a strict 10 years on the term.
Who Should Consider a 10-Year Mortgage?
Homeowners who want to be able to pay off their mortgage quickly and have the means to pay the large monthly payment should consider a 10-year mortgage. Also, since lenders may view these types of borrowers as more high-risk (since you’ll need to pay more each month), you’ll most likely need to have an excellent credit profile in order to qualify.
A 10-year home loan is also best for those who want to refinance their mortgage and have been paying down their existing loan for a while. For instance, those who have close to 10 years until they’re mortgage-free may not want to refinance to a loan with a longer term. That is, unless you’re looking to refinance to a longer term to lower payments—keep in mind you’ll end up paying more in interest in the long run if you go with the longer loan term.
First-time home buyers who are younger should carefully consider whether a 10-year mortgage is the best choice. Look at your current income and whether it can sustain a larger monthly mortgage payment besides other financial obligations and savings goals. A longer term may be more beneficial so that you can leave room in your budget for expenses such as student loans, creating an emergency fund, or other costs associated with homeownership like repairs.
What Are the Benefits of a 10-Year Mortgage?
The major benefit of taking out a 10-year fixed-rate mortgage is that homeowners can pay off their loan much faster than other loan terms. Since rates may be lower than a 20- or 30-year term and because homeowners are making fewer payments, borrowers will save the most money on interest with a 10-year term. Plus, homeowners will be able to build equity much faster.
For instance, a $300,000 30-year mortgage with a 20% down payment and an interest rate of 3.5% will end up paying $147,974.61 in interest. If you take out a 10-year loan with the same interest rate and the same loan amount, you’ll end up paying $44,791.30 in interest, a $103,183.31 difference. However, the monthly payment for the 30-year term is $1,077.71, compared to $2,373.26 for the 10-year loan. These financial considerations need to be carefully thought out before making such a major decision.
What Is a Good 10-Year Mortgage Rate?
Mortgage rates will vary between different lenders as well as from day to day. Even if you look at averages from places like Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, getting a good rate will depend on a few factors, including your credit profile, total loan value, and the lender you ultimately go with. That’s why it’s important to shop around different lenders to receive customized quotes to find the best one.
Considering borrowers need to make high monthly payments, lenders are more likely to require an excellent credit score. This is in addition to factors such as having a sizable amount of assets, steady income, and a low debt-to-income (DTI) ratio.
Your DTI, calculated by dividing your total debt payments against your gross income, is a percentage lenders use to determine whether you’ll be able to easily afford your monthly mortgage payment in addition to your other debt payments. In other words, lenders want to see that you’re not at risk of stretching yourself too thin financially.
When you apply for a 10-year loan, lenders will provide you with a loan estimate. This document outlines in detail the initial quote, including the interest rate and any additional fees. That way, you can see what your total costs are throughout the entire loan.
Do Different Mortgage Types Have Different Rates?
Fixed and adjustable rates loans have different rates. ARMs have interest rates that are usually lower for the initial fixed-rate period, but usually go up once that period is over (rates will fluctuate depending on the market conditions). Fixed-rate mortgages may have higher initial interest rates compared to ARMs, but remain the same throughout the lifetime of the loan.
There are also different loan terms for both fixed-rate and ARMs such as a 10-year, 15-year, 20-year, or 30-year loan. The longer the term, the higher interest rates tend to be.
Are Interest Rate and APR the Same?
The annual percentage rate, or APR, is not the same as the interest rate. The interest rate is the cost lenders charge homeowners for money borrowed—you’ll see this amount expressed as a percentage rate. This does not include any charges of other fees associated with the mortgage.
The APR is also expressed as a percentage, but it includes both the interest rate and any additional fees lenders impose on the mortgage. These fees may include an application fee, broker fee, discount points, origination fees, and lender credits.
Where Can You Find 10-Year Mortgage Rates?
You can find 10-year mortgages by looking at bank websites, online lenders, or through third-party comparison websites like Investopedia. Keep in mind that these rates are simply estimates and do not reflect individualized quotes you’ll receive after submitting an application form with your personal details.
How Can You Qualify for a 10-Year Mortgage?
Qualifying for a 10-year mortgage will depend on the type of loan you want, whether that’s a conventional mortgage or government-backed loan. For instance, some government-backed mortgages may have additional requirements, such as USDA loans available to rural homebuyers with limited income.
Otherwise, the ability to qualify for a mortgage includes having a steady source of income, a debt-to-income ratio that’s within the lenders’ guidelines, and a fair or good credit score. In most cases, borrowers will be required to have a down payment, but the exact amount depends on the lender and type of mortgage. An exception is a Veterans Association (VA) loan, which doesn’t have a down payment requirement for qualified borrowers.
To show that you have a steady source of income, borrowers will need to provide documentation such as pay stubs, bank statements, and W2s. Lenders may have more stringent requirements from the self-employed, such as two years of tax returns and additional documentation proving your income from the past two years.
If you’re unsure whether you’ll be able to qualify for a 10-year mortgage, check with the lender or a reputable mortgage broker to see what requirements you’ll need to meet. That way, you can work toward them so you can increase your chances of being approved for a mortgage.
How We Chose the Best 10-Year Mortgage Rates
In order to assess the best 10-year mortgage rates, we first needed to create a credit profile. This profile included a credit score ranging from 700 to 760 with a property loan-to-value ratio (LTV) of 80%. With this profile, we averaged the lowest rates offered by more than 200 of the nation’s top lenders. As such, these rates are representative of what real consumers will see when shopping for a mortgage.
Keep in mind that mortgage rates may change daily and this data is intended to be for informational purposes only. A person’s personal credit and income profile will be the deciding factors in what loan rates and terms they are able to get. Loan rates do not include amounts for taxes or insurance premiums and individual lender terms will apply.