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In Yahoo Finance’s October 5, 2026 weekly survey, the five lowest reported APRs for 30-year fixed-rate conventional loans ranged from 7.241% to 7.446%. The headline about two lenders hitting 8% refers to Rocket Mortgage and Zillow Home Loans near or above 8% at the bottom of that 15-lender ranking—not to a national mortgage-rate average or a rate available to every borrower.
What the October 5 lender survey reported
Yahoo Finance said it ranked 15 lenders by annual percentage rate (APR) for 30-year fixed-rate conventional loans. Its five lowest reported APRs were:
| Lender | Reported APR |
|---|---|
| Citi Mortgage | 7.241% |
| Better | 7.297% |
| PenFed Credit Union | 7.306% |
| Truist | 7.411% |
| Chase Home Lending | 7.446% |
Yahoo Finance’s October 5 indexed article text places Rocket Mortgage within fractions of 8% and Zillow Home Loans above 8%, identifying them as the two lenders at the bottom of its leaderboard. The figures describe that publication’s weekly ranking, not a market-wide average. Yahoo Finance’s direct article page was not accessible, so further details about those two entries should not be inferred from the headline alone. Yahoo Finance’s weekly mortgage lender survey.
How the survey compares with Freddie Mac’s national average
Freddie Mac reported a 7.28% average for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages and 6.60% for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages for the week ending October 1, 2026. The prior week’s averages were 7.03% and 6.42%, respectively. One year earlier, the corresponding averages were 6.34% and 5.55%. These figures appear in Freddie Mac’s October 1, 2026 release and its official weekly archive.
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The comparison is useful for context, but the numbers come from different measures. Yahoo Finance’s survey ranks selected lenders’ reported APRs for one loan type; Freddie Mac’s weekly benchmark covers conventional, conforming, fully amortizing home-purchase loans for borrowers with excellent credit putting 20% down. Neither figure is a personalized quote. Freddie Mac Chief Economist Sam Khater said in the October 1 release: “With mortgage rates on their current trajectory, the housing market continues to be supported by favorable economic conditions.”
Why APR is not the same as the interest rate
The interest rate determines the interest charged on the loan balance. APR also accounts for certain loan costs, including lender fees, and can therefore help reveal differences between offers with similar nominal rates. But APR alone does not explain every feature of a loan: points, fees, loan terms and borrower assumptions still matter.
Rank #2
- 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
Discount points are upfront charges paid to obtain a lower interest rate. Yahoo Finance’s guidance notes that points appear in the lender-fees section of a Loan Estimate; asking for a version without discount points can make rate comparisons clearer, though the rate may be higher. Compare the actual Loan Estimates rather than relying on a ranking or headline.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to compare mortgage offers fairly
- Request quotes on matching terms. Give each lender the same loan amount, loan type and term, occupancy, down payment, credit-profile assumptions and rate-lock period. Differences in those inputs can make quoted rates and APRs incomparable.
- Ask for the rate and APR together. Request quotes with zero discount points when possible, or ask each lender to show the cost and rate with points separately.
- Review the Loan Estimate. Compare the interest rate, APR, discount points and lender fees, along with the loan’s other terms. A low advertised rate may involve upfront costs that change the overall value.
- Check the quote date and lock period. Mortgage pricing can change, so a weekly survey or an older quote may not match an offer available when you apply. Confirm how long the quoted terms are locked.
A useful side-by-side comparison records the lender, quoted interest rate, APR, points and fees, loan type and term, quote date, and the borrower assumptions used. That gives you a more reliable basis for choosing among personalized offers than the survey’s leaderboard alone.
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Rank #4
- 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
- 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.
