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Re:

Mortgage Rates Today, October 8, 2026: Slightly Higher

NerdWallet reported a Zillow-provided 30-year fixed mortgage average of 7.47% APR on October 8, 2026—slightly higher than the prior day and week.
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The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 7.47% APR on Thursday, October 8, 2026, according to the daily rate figure NerdWallet reported from data provided by Zillow. That was 4 basis points above the previous day and 6 basis points above a week earlier. It is a national snapshot—not a rate every borrower can expect to receive.

Mortgage rate snapshot for October 8

Measure Reported figure
30-year fixed average 7.47% APR, a Zillow-provided daily figure reported by NerdWallet on October 8, 2026
Change from the previous day 4 basis points higher, according to NerdWallet
Change from a week earlier 6 basis points higher, according to NerdWallet

A basis point is one hundredth of a percentage point. These figures describe the source’s reported national daily average; they are not a guaranteed consumer offer or a Freddie Mac weekly survey result. Individual rates depend on the borrower, loan, and property.

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Why mortgage rates were higher

Bond markets shape mortgage pricing

Mortgage rates respond to inflation reports, employment data, Federal Reserve meetings, and global news. Thirty-year fixed mortgage pricing generally tracks the 10-year Treasury yield, in part because mortgages are packaged into mortgage-backed securities that compete for investors alongside bonds. Bond prices and yields move in opposite directions: when bond prices fall, yields rise, which can put upward pressure on mortgage rates.

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The Federal Reserve does not set mortgage rates directly

The Fed influences the broader economy and bond markets, but it does not announce or directly set mortgage rates. NerdWallet’s October 8 report said minutes from the September Federal Reserve meeting indicated central bankers expected another rate hike during 2026. The report also attributed this conditional statement to Fed governor Christopher Waller after public remarks in Turkey: “if the economic data continue to come in as expected,” he anticipated the need for multiple rate hikes. The report did not establish exact timing, so the remark should not be read as a date-specific forecast.

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Why is the rate I saw online different from the quote I got?

An online rate is often a sample based on specified assumptions, not a personalized offer. Sample pricing may assume strong credit, a large down payment, or paid mortgage points. A lender’s quote can also vary with your credit, debt-to-income ratio, employment history, down payment, loan type and amount, location, and property type. Even borrowers with similar credit scores may receive different offers.

Compare the full terms rather than choosing by the interest rate alone:

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  • Interest rate and APR: The interest rate affects scheduled interest; APR reflects the rate plus certain loan costs, making it a broader comparison measure.
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  • Loan type and term: Make sure offers cover the same mortgage type and repayment period.
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Get personalized quotes from multiple lenders using the same loan assumptions, then compare APR, fees, payment, cash to close, and lock terms side by side.

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Should I refinance?

Start with your goal: a lower monthly payment, a shorter repayment term, or access to equity can point to different loan structures. Compare the full refinance costs with the likely savings, then calculate how long it would take for those savings to offset the costs.

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A rate that is 0.5 to 0.75 percentage points below your current rate can be a screening rule of thumb, but it is not a universal refinance trigger or a guarantee that refinancing will save money. The result depends on closing costs, the new loan’s terms, how long you expect to keep it, and your financial goal.

Should I lock my rate?

If you have a quote you are comfortable with, consider asking the lender about locking it while your loan is processed. Rates can change daily or hourly, and a quote may change until a lock is secured. A lock can protect the quoted rate from increases during its stated term; some lenders offer a float-down if rates improve. Ask about the lock’s duration, fees, and the specific conditions for any float-down before deciding.

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  • 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
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  • 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
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Is now the right time to buy?

There is no universal answer based on a single day’s rate. Check whether the payment works for your budget at current rates, seek preapproval, and compare lenders. Build your budget around the rate available to you now rather than relying on a future decline.

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