Mortgage Rates Today, Jan 28: 30-Year Fixed Refinance Rate Rises by 24 Basis Points

If you're thinking about refinancing your mortgage, it's important to know that on January 28th, the national average 30-year fixed refinance rate jumped up to 6.88%. This means that for many homeowners, securing a new loan to replace an existing one became a bit more expensive compared to a week ago.

These movements, even seemingly small ones, can truly impact your long-term financial picture. It’s not just about the number you see on paper today; it’s about how that number echoes in your monthly budget for years to come. This rise, a notable 24 basis points from last week's 6.64% and a 31 basis point climb from earlier in the week, signals a shift worth paying close attention to.

Mortgage Rates Today, Jan 28: 30-Year Fixed Refinance Rate Rises by 24 Basis Points

What's Happening with Refinance Rates Right Now?

Based on data from Zillow, here's a snapshot of where things stand for refinance rates as of Wednesday, January 28, 2026:

Why This Rate Hike Matters to You

When refinance rates go up, it directly translates to higher monthly payments for anyone looking to swap their current mortgage for a new one, hopefully with better terms. Even a difference of a quarter of a percent can add up significantly over the lifespan of a loan. It’s like making a small change in your grocery list that ends up costing you a noticeable amount more by the end of the month.

Let's break down what this means with a real-world example. Imagine you have a $250,000 loan and you’re considering a 30-year fixed mortgage:

• At last week’s average of 6.64%: Your monthly principal and interest payment would have been around $1,600.
• At today’s average of 6.88%: That same loan would now cost you roughly $1,640 per month.

That’s an increase of about $40 each month. While it might not sound like a fortune at first glance, over a year, that’s nearly $480 more out of your pocket. And if you do the math over the full 30 years? You could end up paying over $14,000 more in total interest. It really highlights how crucial it is to time your refinance decisions wisely.

Now, let’s look at the 15-year fixed option, a shorter-term commitment that many homeowners prefer for its faster payoff and, typically, lower rates.

• At a previous rate of 5.61%: Your monthly payment on that $250,000 loan would be approximately $2,060.
• At the current rate of 5.62%: The payment nudges up to about $2,062.

Here, the impact is almost negligible – just a couple of extra dollars a month. This confirms my observation that shorter-term loans tend to be more stable and less sensitive to minor rate fluctuations. If you can comfortably afford the higher monthly payments of a 15-year loan, it often proves to be a more predictable and less volatile choice.

The 5-year Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM), which starts with a lower rate for the first five years, is currently sitting at 7.00%. While this initial fixed rate might seem competitive or even slightly higher than the 30-year in this specific instance, the real concern with ARMs is what happens after that initial period. Those rates can, and often do, rise significantly depending on the economic conditions at the time of adjustment. For me, this makes them a riskier bet when rates are already on an upward trend.

What We Can Learn from Today’s Rates

Here are some of the key things to take away from the current mortgage rate situation:

• The jump in the 30-year fixed refinance rate means you’ll likely be paying more over the long haul if you choose to refinance now. This is a significant factor to consider for your overall financial planning.
• The 15-year fixed rate is holding steady. If you’re looking for stability and can manage the higher monthly payments, this option remains a solid choice for refinancing.
• The 5-year ARM doesn’t seem like the best deal right now. Its higher starting rate, coupled with the uncertainty of future increases, makes it less appealing compared to fixed-rate options, especially when rates are trending upwards.

Recent Trends in the Mortgage Market

It's fascinating to see how much activity there's been in the refinance market recently. The Mortgage Bankers Association reported that applications for refinancing have surged dramatically, being 183% higher than this time last year. On a week-to-week basis, we even saw a 20% jump in demand as rates briefly dipped. It signals that many homeowners are actively trying to capture lower rates when they can.

Interestingly, refinancing now makes up a substantial portion of all mortgage applications – about 62%. This is a big shift from previous years when high interest rates often meant homeowners felt “locked in” to their existing, lower-rate loans and didn't see much benefit in refinancing.

A large chunk of this new demand comes from homeowners who took out their mortgages more recently, particularly in late 2024 or early 2025, when rates were actually higher than they are today, often above 7%. This emphasizes that refinancing is often about improving upon a less-than-ideal existing loan.

The Bigger Picture: What’s Driving Rates?

The mortgage rate environment is always influenced by larger economic forces and policy decisions. Recently, we saw rates dip due to a directive from the Trump administration that encouraged Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to purchase more mortgage bonds. This increased demand for these bonds, which in turn lowered their yields and, consequently, mortgage rates.

However, the market is also prone to volatility. While rates did hit a recent three-year low, they've already started to climb back up. This is partly due to economic uncertainty and how the market reacts to potential trade tensions. It’s a constant dance between stability and unpredictable global events.

Looking ahead to 2026, most major financial institutions, like Fannie Mae and Wells Fargo, anticipate that rates will likely stabilize. Their forecasts generally suggest rates will settle in the range of 6.0% to 6.4% for the remainder of the year. This gives us a hint of what to expect, but it's wise to remember that these are predictions and the market can always surprise us.

Smart Moves for Homeowners

When considering refinancing, it’s crucial to have a strategy. A common piece of advice, often called the “1% Rule,” suggests that refinancing is generally most beneficial if you can lower your current interest rate by at least one full percentage point. This helps ensure that the savings you achieve on your monthly payments will eventually make up for the closing costs associated with the refinance.

It’s also worth noting that borrowers with government-backed loans, like FHA and VA loans, have been particularly active in refinancing. I’ve seen a significant uptick in FHA refinance demand, with one recent jump of 24% as rates for those specific loans dipped toward 6.08%. This shows how customized rate environments can impact different borrower groups.

The Bottom Line for Today’s Rates

If you’re a homeowner contemplating refinancing, it’s essential to take a step back and assess whether locking in today’s rates truly aligns with your long-term financial goals. While the 30-year fixed refinance rate has increased from last week, it's important to remember that these rates are still in a much more favorable territory compared to historical peaks. For many homeowners who secured their mortgages at significantly higher interest rates in the past, refinancing today, even with the recent uptick, could still represent a smart financial move. My advice is always to run the numbers with your specific situation in mind and consult with a trusted mortgage professional.