Bankrate’s national averages on December 29, 2025, were 6.25% for a 30-year fixed mortgage, 5.53% for a 15-year fixed mortgage and 5.74% for a 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgage. These are dated benchmarks, not rates guaranteed to an individual borrower.
Mortgage rates reported for December 29, 2025
Bankrate’s daily report lists these national averages for Monday, December 29, 2025:
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| Loan type | Bankrate average |
|---|---|
| 30-year fixed | 6.25% |
| 15-year fixed | 5.53% |
| 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) | 5.74% |
Source: Bankrate’s December 29, 2025 report. The figures are national averages reported for that date, not personalized lender quotes or offers available to every borrower.
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How Freddie Mac’s weekly figures compare
Freddie Mac did not publish a Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) observation for December 29. Its closest preceding weekly observation was published Wednesday, December 24: 6.18% for a 30-year fixed mortgage and 5.50% for a 15-year fixed mortgage. The following observation, published December 31, was 6.15% and 5.44%, respectively. Neither weekly reading should be labeled a Freddie Mac rate for December 29.
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| Publisher and observation date | 30-year fixed | 15-year fixed |
|---|---|---|
| Freddie Mac, December 24, 2025 | 6.18% | 5.50% |
| Freddie Mac, December 31, 2025 | 6.15% | 5.44% |
Source: Freddie Mac PMMS archive. The December 31 figures are the subsequent week’s observation, not a December 29 quote.
Why rate averages differ
The Bankrate snapshot, Freddie Mac’s weekly survey and Mortgage News Daily’s daily index are different measures taken on different schedules. They do not represent one synchronized, standardized quote. Freddie Mac’s PMMS is based on selected loan applications; Bankrate publishes a daily snapshot; Mortgage News Daily reports its own daily index.
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Mortgage News Daily’s December 29 commentary said its 30-year fixed index declined 0.01% that day and reached its lowest level since October 28. That describes the daily direction and a comparison with its own index history; it should not be treated as interchangeable with the Bankrate or Freddie Mac averages. Mortgage News Daily’s December 29 commentary
What Freddie Mac’s survey covers—and leaves out
Freddie Mac says PMMS draws on rates collected from thousands of loan applications submitted through Loan Product Advisor by lenders around the country. Its selected pool covers conventional, single-family home purchase loans within conforming loan limits. The observation window runs Thursday through Wednesday, and publication is ordinarily on Thursday—or Wednesday when Thursday is a U.S. holiday. It is a weekly measure, not a live quote for a particular day or borrower. Freddie Mac’s PMMS methodology
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Freddie Mac no longer reports average points and fees because those details are not always present in the underlying application data. Its rate averages therefore do not, on their own, show a loan’s full borrowing cost.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to compare a real mortgage offer
A national average cannot establish the rate a particular borrower could obtain. The actual offer depends on loan terms, borrower circumstances, lender pricing and costs. Compare offers for the same loan type and term, and check the details that affect both cost and payment:
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- 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
- Interest rate and APR: Look at both; the headline rate alone does not capture the full cost reflected in APR.
- Points and lender fees: Ask what you would pay upfront and which costs are included in the quoted APR.
- Loan structure and term: Distinguish fixed-rate loans from adjustable-rate loans, and compare the same repayment term.
- Down payment and borrower assumptions: Confirm that each quote uses comparable assumptions and loan details.
- Rate-lock period: Check how long the quoted rate is secured and what happens if closing takes longer.
- Payment affordability: Evaluate the total expected payment against your budget, not just the interest rate.
For context, on December 31 Freddie Mac Chief Economist Sam Khater said: “After starting the year close to 7%, the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage moved to its lowest level in 2025 this week, an encouraging sign for potential homebuyers heading into the new year.” That comment refers to Freddie Mac’s December 31 observation, not the December 29 rate. Freddie Mac’s December 31 statement
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