Juro do financiamento de casa cai pela segunda semana e vai a 6,65%, mas a compra segue travada

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate in the United States was 6.65% in the week ending August 20, according to Freddie Mac's weekly survey. The previous week it was 6.67%. This was the second consecutive decline.

The 15-year mortgage rate stood at 5.95%, compared to 5.96% the previous week. In both cases, the rate is higher than a year ago: 6.58% and 5.69%, respectively.

The number of the week, and what it doesn't say.

Two consecutive drops of 0.02 and 0.01 percentage points change little for buyers. Today's rate is higher than it was in August 2025, meaning that those who waited a year for lower interest rates are paying more for the same property.

Sam Khater, chief economist at Freddie Mac, described the move as "modest relief" and noted that borrowers can save thousands of dollars by comparing rates with more than one lender before making a decision.

Two polls, two numbers: 6.65% and 6.77%

Those who compare offers will find different figures depending on the source, and the discrepancy is not an error. The Mortgage Bankers Association recorded an average contract rate of 6.77% for a 30-year mortgage, with a 0.65 percentage point commission, for the week ending August 14.

MBA's research measures contracts actually requested and includes points paid upon entry; Freddie Mac's research has its own methodology and weekly timeframe. In practice, the rate shown at closing tends to be closer to MBA's number, and the buyer needs to add the points to the calculation.

Other options in the same week, according to MBA: 6.08% for the 15-year plan with 0.82 points, 6.71% for the 30-year Jumbo plan with 0.48 points, and 5.94% for the 5/1 adjustable rate with 0.87 points.

How much does the installment change?

A simulation helps to measure the effect. On a $400,000 loan over 30 years at a fixed rate, considering only principal and interest, the difference between 6.67% and 6.65% is approximately $5 per month.

Compared to August 2025, when the average was 6.58%, the same loan is now about US$18 more expensive per month. Taxes, insurance, and condominium fees are added separately and usually weigh more than these weekly variations.

The scale of the calculation changes when comparing the contracted rate, not the advertised average. Between 6.65% and the 6.77% measured by MBA, the difference on the same $400,000 loan exceeds $30 per month, which is close to $11,000 over 30 years — before accounting for the 0.65 percentage point commission paid upon signing, which adds another $2,600 upfront.

Why does the rate drop and the buyer not show up?

The volume of loan applications fell 0.4% in the week ending August 14, seasonally adjusted, according to MBA. The purchase index fell 2% during the week and is 3% below the same period last year.

Joel Kan, deputy chief economist at MBA, pointed to the reason: accessibility difficulties have once again led buyers to postpone the decision, given the burden of the higher interest rate on the monthly payment.

Refinancing is growing, but the average value is shrinking.

The refinancing rate rose 2% during the week, although it is 18% below the level recorded a year earlier. The share of refinancing in total requests increased from 40.7% to 41.9%.

The telling detail lies in the average size of these transactions: US$282,200, the lowest level since June 2025. Smaller loans being refinanced indicate that those seeking bank loans now are not owners of expensive properties looking for better interest rates, but rather those with small balances and narrow margins. The share of contracts with adjustable rates fell from 7.9% to 7.7%.

The 10-year Treasury bond is the one that rules.

The 30-year mortgage is tracking the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury bond, which was around 4.7% on Thursday afternoon, according to Fox Business. A recent auction of the bond sold for 4.683%, the highest level in 19 years.

As long as yields don't fall, the scope for mortgage rates to drop significantly remains limited, even if rates fluctuate by a few hundredths of a percent from week to week.

What economists expect for the coming weeks.

Jake Krimmel, senior economist at Realtor.com, assessed that this week's data serves as a floor, not a trend: the current reading would be the base from which rates could rise the following week, amid market volatility.

What to look for before signing

For those in the process of buying, Freddie Mac's own advice—requesting quotes from more than one lender—has a greater impact on your wallet than waiting for the weekly average to drop another hundredth. It's worth requesting the official cost estimate from each bank, comparing rates and points side-by-side, and checking how long each lender keeps the rate fixed.

For those still saving up for a down payment, the combination of interest rates above 6.5% and falling purchase orders paints a picture of a market without fierce competition for property, a situation in which there is more room to negotiate price and concessions from the seller.