October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsClean PCRecommendedOne scan can reveal what keeps slowing WindowsLook for cleanup and repair opportunities.Run ScanOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
The Finance Base
Home Buying

Mortgage Rates on September 16, 2025: 30-Year and 15-Year Rates Hold Steady

September 16, 2025 mortgage-rate reports varied by source and method. Learn what each 30-year and 15-year figure measures and how to compare real offers.

By TheFinanceBase Team 3 min read
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Mortgage rates mostly held steady on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, but there was no single universal “today’s rate.” The Mortgage Reports’ narrative snapshot put the 30-year fixed average at 6.37% and the 15-year fixed average at 5.58%; other sources reported different figures because their data, timing, and loan categories differ. These are historical benchmarks, not current rates or a personal quote.

Mortgage rates reported for September 16, 2025

The Mortgage Reports described rates as mostly steady from the previous morning. Its narrative figures, lender-network table, and Freddie Mac benchmark are separate series, so they should not be treated as interchangeable.

Source and measure 30-year fixed 15-year fixed What the figure represents
The Mortgage Reports narrative, September 16, 2025 6.37% 5.58% Daily averages stated in the article narrative. Source
The Mortgage Reports conventional lender-network table, September 16, 2025 7.168% rate; 7.235% APR 6.551% rate; 6.666% APR The table marked the 30-year rate unchanged and the 15-year rate up 0.01 percentage point. The publisher says these partner-network figures use selected criteria and sample borrower profiles and may not reflect the market or an individual borrower’s offer. Source
Freddie Mac weekly average, reported September 11, 2025 6.35% Not stated by the cited report A weekly 30-year fixed benchmark, down 15 basis points from the preceding week—not a September 16 lender quote. Source
Zillow data reported by Yahoo Finance, September 16, 2025 6.16% purchase; 6.20% refinance 5.46% purchase; 5.53% refinance Rounded national averages. Location and individual finances affect actual offers. Source

The note rate is the interest rate used to calculate interest on the loan; APR expresses borrowing costs more broadly. Do not compare one source’s rate with another source’s APR as if they were the same measure. The series above also differ by collection method and observation window. The Mortgage Reports describes its daily averages as coming from a lender network using sample borrower profiles; Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey is weekly and, according to Freddie Mac, uses rates from thousands of applications submitted to Loan Product Advisor by lenders nationwide. Freddie Mac PMMS methodology

What these historical averages can—and cannot—tell you

A national average or sample-profile rate is context, not a quote you can assume you qualify for. An offer depends on the borrower’s circumstances and the specific loan. Purchase and refinance rates can differ, as can rates for different loan types and structures. The available September 16 reports do not establish one definitive market rate for that date; keep each figure tied to its publisher, measure, and date.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Calculated Industries 3400 Pocket Real Estate Master Financial Calculator
  • Loan Amortization and Remaining Balances
  • Instant Principal, Interest, Interest Only and Total Payments
  • Future Values
  • Date math function

How to compare mortgage offers

Request Loan Estimates from multiple lenders and compare the same kind of loan. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau advises checking the loan’s term, purpose, product, loan type, and whether its rate is adjustable before comparing costs. CFPB: Your Loan Estimate

  • Rate and APR: Compare both, keeping the distinction between the interest rate and the broader APR measure.
  • Fees and points: Review origination charges and points. Points are upfront fees paid in exchange for a lower interest rate; weigh their cost against the alternative offer and how long you expect to keep the loan.
  • Payment: Compare projected principal and interest, then account for taxes, homeowners insurance, and mortgage insurance where applicable. Those costs can make up part of the total monthly housing payment.
  • Total cost and cash: Check total interest over the loan term, closing costs, and cash to close, not just the advertised rate.
  • Lock terms: Confirm whether the rate is locked, how long the lock lasts, and what terms apply. Some lenders may lock a rate with a Loan Estimate; others may not.

A 15-year term may have a different rate and payment profile from a 30-year term, but the term alone does not reveal which offer is less expensive overall. Compare the complete estimates for loans with matching terms and features.

Rank #2
Calculated Industries 3415 Qualifier Plus IIIx Advanced Real Estate Mortgage Finance Calculator | Simple Operation | Buyer Pre-Qualifying | Solves Payments, Amortization, ARMs, Combos, FHA, VA, More
  • SPEAKS YOUR LANGUAGE: Keys clearly labeled in residential mortgage finance terms like Loan AMT, Int, Term, PMT. This industry-standard calculator is super easy to use on all realty financing matters from finding a loan that works for your client to considering trust deeds investments, or finding remaining balances or balloon payments and much more
  • CONFIDENTLY AND EASILY SOLVES: All your clients' financial questions whether they are buyers, sellers, investors or renters. Increase your perceived professionalism as a new agent, experienced broker or seasoned loan officer. Close more home sales and impress your clients with fast, accurate answers to all their real estate finance questions
  • DEDICATED BUYER QUALIFYING KEYS: Enter client's income, debt and expenses to pre-qualify them to only show properties they can afford. Include tax, insurance and mortgage insurance then compare loan options and payment solutions to give your client choices before they make an offer to buy
  • FIGURE OUT THE RIGHT LOAN: At the press of a button for jumbo, conventional, FHA/VA, or even 80:10:10 or 80:15:5 combo loans; check to see if ARMs or bi-weekly loans, quarterly payments or if interest-only payments are the answer; giving your client more choices; easily perform what if loan or tvm calculations Find loan amount, term, interest or PITI or PI payments
  • BECOME AN INVALUABLE RESOURCE: Reduce your clients' confusion and uncertainty; ensuring they are able to make a purchase offer; knowing they can afford the down payment; and determining which is the right loan for them. Date-math for listings and contracts too. Comes with a protective slide cover, quick reference guide, pocket User's Guide, and long-life batteries
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Should you lock a rate or wait?

The September 16 article appeared as the Federal Open Market Committee began its meeting, before its decision the following day. A possible change in short-term Federal Reserve policy does not guarantee lower mortgage rates: “Even if the Fed trims short-term rates, that doesn’t guarantee relief for homebuyers,” Charles Goodwin, identified in the article as head of bridge and DSCR lending at Kiavi, said. The Mortgage Reports, September 16, 2025

Goodwin also offered this opinion in that article: “The biggest mistake I see is waiting for the perfect rate. If you’re ready to buy, the smartest move is still to lock in your rate now. Purchase buyers should lock sooner, because certainty matters when you’re under contract and heading to closing. On the flip side, if you’re still early in your search, you’ve got more time to see if late-year declines materialize.” That is his view, not individualized financial advice or a guarantee that locking or waiting will benefit every borrower. Decide using your closing timeline, the lender’s lock terms, and the offers available to you.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Best Value
Sale
Victor 6500 Executive Desktop Loan Calculator, 12-Digit LCD
  • Extra large 12-digit angled display.
  • Loan Wizard.
  • Automatic Tax Keys.
  • Selectable decimal setting.
  • Input any three loan variables to compute the fourth.
Rank #4
Calculated Industries 43430 Qualifier Plus IIIfx Desktop PRO Calculator
  • SPEAKS YOUR LANGUAGE: Keys clearly labeled in residential mortgage finance terms like Loan Amt, Int, Term, Pmt; this industry-standard calculator is super easy to use on all realty financing matters from finding a loan that works for your client to considering trust deeds investments, or finding remaining balances or balloon payments and more
  • CONFIDENTLY AND EASILY SOLVE: Clients' financial questions whether they're buyers, sellers, investors or renters. Increase your perceived professionalism as a new agent, experienced broker or seasoned loan officer. Close more home sales and impress your clients with fast, accurate answers to all their real estate finance questions from PITI Payments to IRR, NPV and Cashflows
  • DEDICATED BUYER QUALIFYING KEYS: Enter client's income, debt and expenses to pre-qualify them to only show properties they can afford. Include tax, insurance and mortgage insurance then compare loan options and payment solutions to give your client choices before they make an offer to buy
  • FIGURE OUT THE RIGHT LOAN: For your client at the press of a button for jumbo, conventional, FHA/VA, or even 80:10:10 or 80:15:5 combo loans; check to see if ARMs or bi-weekly loans, quarterly payments or if interest-only payments are the answer; giving your client more choices; easily perform what if loan or TVM calculations find loan amount, term, interest or PITI or PI payments
  • BECOME AN INVALUABLE RESOURCE: To your clients by reducing their confusion and uncertainty; ensuring they are able to make a purchase offer; knowing they can afford the down payment; and determining which is the right loan for them. Date-math for listings and contracts too. Comes with a protective slide cover, quick reference guide, pocket user's guide, and long-life battery
Rank #3
Calculated Industries 3405 Real Estate Master IIIx Residential Real Estate Finance Calculator | Clearly-Labeled Function Keys | Simplest Operation | Solves Payments, Amortizations, ARMs, Combos, More
  • DEDICATED FUNCTION KEYS for Quick Financial Solutions: Clearly labeled function keys enable you to quickly and confidently provide financial answers and options for your clients, whether in the office, in the car or at an open house. Compare loan options and provide payment solutions to give your client choices
  • INSTANT FINANCIAL PROBLEM SOLVING: Solve the financial questions your clients have whether they are buyers, investors or renters; increase your perceived professionalism and close more home sales by quickly answering real estate finance problems including remaining balances
  • RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE FINANCE TERMS: Keys labeled in residential real estate finance terms like Loan AMT, Int, Term, PMT; Calculator is super easy to use to determine a mortgage loan that works for your client
  • VERSATILE LOAN CALCULATION OPTIONS: Calculate 80:10:10 or 80:15:5 combo loans at the press of a button; check to see if ARMs or bi-weekly loans, quarterly payments or if interest-only payments are the answer; giving your client more choices
  • COMES COMPLETE: Comes with a protective slide cover, quick reference guide, pocket user's guide, two long-life batteries, and 1-year warranty

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More from the Money Desk

Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.