In the United States, interest rates for all mortgage types started to increase in 2021. This was due to the Federal Reserve introducing a series of hikes in the federal funds rate to contain the rising inflation. In the first quarter of 2024, the 30-year fixed rate declined slightly, to 6.75 percent. Despite the cut, this was about 3.9 percentage points higher than the same quarter in 2021. Why have U.S. home sales decreased? Cheaper mortgages normally encourage consumers to buy homes, while higher borrowing costs have the opposite effect. As interest rates increased in 2022, the number of existing homes sold plummeted. Soaring house prices over the past 10 years have further affected housing affordability. Between 2013 and 2023, the median price of an existing single-family home risen by about 88 percent. On the other hand, the median weekly earnings have risen much slower. Comparing mortgage terms and rates Between 2008 and 2023, the average rate on a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage in the United States stood between 2.28 and 6.11 percent. Over the same period, a 30-year mortgage term averaged a fixed-rate of between 3.08 and 6.81 percent. Rates on 15-year loan terms are lower to encourage a quicker repayment, which helps to improve a homeowner’s equity.

Long term dataset showing the 30 year fixed rate mortgage average in the United States since 1971.

Graph and download economic data for 30-Year Fixed Rate FHA Mortgage Index (OBMMIFHA30YF) from 2017-01-03 to 2025-03-24 about FHA, 30-year, fixed, mortgage, rate, indexes, and USA.

The table below showcases the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles of mortgage rates for each zip code in Mountain Home Village, California. It's important to understand that mortgage rates can vary greatly and can change yearly.

Graph and download economic data for 30-Year Fixed Rate Jumbo Mortgage Index (OBMMIJUMBO30YF) from 2017-01-03 to 2025-03-25 about jumbo, 30-year, fixed, mortgage, rate, indexes, and USA.

The table below showcases the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles of mortgage rates for each zip code in Palo Alto, California. It's important to understand that mortgage rates can vary greatly and can change yearly.

The table below showcases the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles of mortgage rates for each zip code in Corte Madera, California. It's important to understand that mortgage rates can vary greatly and can change yearly.

The table below showcases the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles of mortgage rates for each zip code in Loomis, California. It's important to understand that mortgage rates can vary greatly and can change yearly.

The table below showcases the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles of mortgage rates for each zip code in Plymouth, California. It's important to understand that mortgage rates can vary greatly and can change yearly.

Car loan interest rates in the United States decreased since June 2024. Thus, the period of rapidly rising interest rates, when they increased from less than four percent in February 2022 to 7.9 percent two years later, has come to an end. The Federal Reserve interest rate is one of the main causes of the interest rates of loans rising or falling. If inflation stays under control, the Federal Reserve will start cutting the interest rates, which would have the effect of the cost of car loans falling too. How many cars have financing in the United States? Car financing exists because not everyone who wants or needs a car can purchase it outright. A financial institution will then lend the money to the customer for purchasing the car, which must then be repaid with interest. Most new vehicles in the United States in 2024 were purchased using car loans. It is not as common to use car loans for purchasing used vehicles as for new ones, although over a third of used vehicles were purchased using loans. The car industry in the United States The car financing business is huge in the United States, due to the high sales of both new and used vehicles in the country. A lot of the United States is very car-centric, which means that, outside large cities, it can often be difficult to do their daily commutes through other transportation methods. In fact, only a small percentage of U.S. workers used public transport to go to work. That is one of the factors that has helped establish the importance of the automotive sector in North America. Nevertheless, there are still countries in Asia-Pacific, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe with higher car-ownership rates than the United States.

Graph and download economic data for Delinquency Rate on Single-Family Residential Mortgages, Booked in Domestic Offices, All Commercial Banks (DRSFRMACBS) from Q1 1991 to Q4 2024 about domestic offices, delinquencies, 1-unit structures, mortgage, family, residential, commercial, domestic, banks, depository institutions, rate, and USA.

The foreclosure rate in the United States has experienced significant fluctuations over the past two decades, reaching its peak in 2010 at 2.23 percent following the financial crisis. Since then, the rate has steadily declined, with a notable drop to 0.11 percent in 2021 due to government interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, the rate stood slightly higher at 0.23 percent but remained well below historical averages, indicating a relatively stable housing market. Impact of economic conditions on foreclosures The foreclosure rate is closely tied to broader economic trends and housing market conditions. During the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, the share of non-performing mortgage loans climbed significantly, with loans 90 to 180 days past due reaching 4.6 percent. Since then, the share of seriously delinquent loans has dropped notably, demonstrating a substantial improvement in mortgage performance. Among other things, the improved mortgage performance has to do with changes in the mortgage approval process. Homebuyers are subject to much stricter lending standards, such as higher credit score requirements. These changes ensure that borrowers can meet their payment obligations and are at a lower risk of defaulting and losing their home. Challenges for potential homebuyers Despite the low foreclosure rates, potential homebuyers face significant challenges in the current market. Homebuyer sentiment worsened substantially in 2021 and remained low across all age groups through 2024, with the 45 to 64 age group expressing the most negative outlook. Factors contributing to this sentiment include high housing costs and various financial obligations. For instance, in 2023, 52 percent of non-homeowners reported that student loan expenses hindered their ability to save for a down payment.

The table below showcases the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles of mortgage rates for each zip code in Tujunga, California. It's important to understand that mortgage rates can vary greatly and can change yearly.

The table below showcases the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles of mortgage rates for each zip code in Esparto, California. It's important to understand that mortgage rates can vary greatly and can change yearly.

The table below showcases the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles of mortgage rates for each zip code in Greenville, California. It's important to understand that mortgage rates can vary greatly and can change yearly.

The table below showcases the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles of mortgage rates for each zip code in Etterburg, California. It's important to understand that mortgage rates can vary greatly and can change yearly.

The table below showcases the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles of mortgage rates for each zip code in Meridian, California. It's important to understand that mortgage rates can vary greatly and can change yearly.

The table below showcases the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles of mortgage rates for each zip code in Fiddletown, California. It's important to understand that mortgage rates can vary greatly and can change yearly.

Retail properties had the highest capitalization rates in the United States in 2023, followed by offices. The cap rate for office real estate was 6.54 percent in the fourth quarter of the year and was forecast to rise further to 7.39 percent in 2024. Cap rates measure the expected rate of return on investment, and show the net operating income of a property as a percentage share of the current asset value. While a higher cap rate indicates a higher rate of return, it also suggests a higher risk. Why have cap rates increased? The increase in cap rates is a consequence of a repricing in the commercial real estate sector. According to the National NCREIF Property Return Index, prices for commercial real estate declined across all property types in 2023. Rental growth was slow during the same period, resulting in a negative annual return. The increase in cap rates reflects the increased risk in the investment environment. Pricing uncertainty in the commercial real estate sector Between 2014 and 2021, commercial property prices in the U.S. enjoyed steady growth. Access to credit with low interest rates facilitated economic growth and real estate investment. As inflation surged in the following two years, lending policy tightened. That had a significant effect on the sector. First, it worsened sentiment among occupiers. Second, it led to a decline in demand for commercial spaces and commercial real estate investment volumes. Uncertainty about the future development of interest rates and occupier demand further contributed to the repricing of real estate assets.

The table below showcases the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles of mortgage rates for each zip code in Willow Springs, California. It's important to understand that mortgage rates can vary greatly and can change yearly.