Mortgage Rates Today, February 27: 30-Year Refinance Rate Rises by 9 Basis Points

On February 27, 2026, the 30-year fixed refinance rate remained steady at 6.52% according to Zillow, yet it has nudged up by 9 basis points compared to last week. This subtle shift underscores a critical point for homeowners considering a refinance: even small increases can add up, impacting your long-term financial picture.

Mortgage Rates Today, Feb 27: 30-Year Fixed Refinance Rate Rises by 9 Basis Points

Today's Refinance Picture: A Closer Look

Let's break down exactly what the numbers are telling us today, February 27, 2026, using the latest data from Zillow.

• 30-Year Fixed Refinance Rate: This is the big one people usually focus on. Today, it's sitting at 6.52%. While it hasn't moved from yesterday, remember that it's up 9 basis points from where it was around this time last week. So, if you were looking to refinance a 30-year mortgage last week, you'd be looking at a slightly better rate. This is the rate that impacts the most homeowners for the longest period, so even a small jump is worth noting.
• 15-Year Fixed Refinance Rate: This rate has seen a much more dramatic move. It has jumped by a notable 57 basis points, moving from 5.55% last week to 6.12% today. This is a significant increase for those who prefer to pay down their mortgage faster. It means the cost of borrowing for a shorter term has gone up considerably.
• 5-Year Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM) Refinance Rate: In contrast to the fixed rates, the 5-year ARM is holding steady at 7.00%. ARMs are designed to offer a lower initial interest rate compared to fixed-rate mortgages, but that rate can change after the initial period. Right now, with fixed rates in the mid-6% range, the allure of a 7% ARM feels less compelling, especially given the uncertainty of future rate hikes.

Here's a quick table to visualize these changes:

(Data courtesy of Zillow)

What This Means for You, the Borrower

So, what does this snapshot mean for someone thinking about refinancing their home loan?

• For 30-Year Fixed Refi Seekers: The stability today is good, but the weekly uptick is a gentle warning. If you have a 30-year mortgage and your current rate is significantly higher than 6.52%, refinancing could still save you a lot of money over time. However, this upward trend suggests that if you’ve been on the fence, it might be wise to act sooner rather than later to lock in a rate before it potentially climbs further. I often advise people to run the numbers: what’s the break-even point for your closing costs versus your monthly savings? This weekly movement directly impacts that calculation.
• For 15-Year Fixed Refi Enthusiasts: The jump in the 15-year rate to 6.12% is a harder pill to swallow. This faster payoff option, which usually comes with a lower rate than the 30-year, is now at a point where the savings might feel less dramatic, especially when compared to what it was just a week ago. Still, for many, the lifetime interest savings of a 15-year loan can significantly outweigh the slightly higher monthly payments compared to a 30-year. It’s a trade-off between monthly affordability and long-term debt reduction.
• For ARM Shoppers: The 5-year ARM at 7.00% is pretty uninspiring right now. When fixed rates are below this, and you consider the potential for the ARM rate to climb after the initial five years, it’s hard to see the benefit unless you have a very specific, short-term plan for the home or anticipate rates dropping dramatically before your fixed period ends. From my experience, the predictability of a fixed rate, especially when it’s competitive, offers far more peace of mind.

Diving Deeper: The Market's Pulse

It’s easy to get caught up in the daily numbers, but to truly understand where things are headed, we need to look at the broader market currents. I find that paying attention to a few key indicators can offer crucial insights:

• The “Psychological Milestone” Effect: You might have heard talk about rates dipping below 6% for standard 30-year mortgages. While that didn't happen today, the idea of it is powerful. For homeowners who are stuck with rates above 7% from the boom times of 2023 and 2024, seeing rates even approach that lower psychological barrier can be the trigger they need to explore refinancing. This pent-up demand is a significant factor, and even small dips can unleash a wave of activity.
• The Refinance Surge (and its Context): The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) has reported a colossal jump in the Refinance Index, up a staggering 150% compared to this time last year. That's huge! However, it's important to put this in perspective. While it's a surge, it's still lower than the refinancing frenzies we saw in previous years when rates were dramatically lower. It tells us people are refinancing, but not quite at the historic levels we've seen before. It indicates a market that's active but perhaps more cautious.
• The Fed's Next Moves: What the Federal Reserve does, or signals it might do, has a massive ripple effect on mortgage rates. We're hearing forecasts from Fed officials, like Austan Goolsbee, pointing towards several more rate cuts later in 2026. This is a really encouraging sign for potential borrowers. If inflation continues to cool down and stay near the Fed’s 2% target, these rate cuts could indeed put downward pressure on mortgage yields. This is the kind of forward-looking information that helps me advise clients on when to lock their rates.
• Treasury Bonds: The Silent Driver: Mortgage rates, especially fixed ones, have a very strong correlation with the yields on U.S. Treasury bonds, particularly the 10-year Treasury note. As of late Thursday, the 10-year Treasury yield was around 4.02%, down slightly from 4.07% the previous week. When Treasury yields go down, mortgage rates often follow suit, and vice versa. Watching these yields is like looking at the engine that powers mortgage rate movements.

Key Takeaways for Your Refinance Plans

So, to sum it all up, here are the most important points to remember from today's mortgage rate report:

• The 30-year fixed refinance rate is holding steady at 6.52% today, but it has climbed 9 basis points over the past week. This means costs are incrementally higher than last week.
• There's been a significant jump in the 15-year fixed refinance rate, pushing it up to 6.12%. This makes shorter-term refinancing less attractive on a day-to-day basis.
• The 5-year ARM refinance rate remains at 7.00%. For now, its stability doesn't make it a compelling option compared to available fixed rates.
• It’s crucial to watch these weekly trends. Even small daily stabilities can hide a creeping upward movement that impacts your long-term borrowing costs significantly.

Ultimately, the decision to refinance is a deeply personal one. Today's data offers a snapshot, but your own financial situation, your current mortgage rate, and your future plans for your home are the most important factors. My advice? Don't just look at the daily headline. Understand the week-over-week changes and the broader economic forces at play, and then crunch the numbers specific to your situation. It’s these well-informed decisions that lead to the best financial outcomes.