Current Washington, D.C., Mortgage and Refinance Rates
Mortgage interest rates currently average 6.06% for 30-year fixed loans and 5.22% for 15-year fixed loans.
Refinance rates in Washington, D.C.
30-year FIXED
Current refinance rates are averaging:
6.48%
15-year FIXED
Current refinance rates are averaging:
6.06%
- Rate-and-term refinances allow you to change your interest rate, loan term or both. Choosing a longer loan term or lower interest rate can help reduce your monthly mortgage payment. In Washington, D.C., today, refinance rates may be slightly higher than purchase mortgage rates.
- Cash-out refinances are a great opportunity to replace your current home loan with a new one and, at the same time, access a portion of your home equity. You’re almost always going to have to pay a higher interest rate, though, compared to a refinance that doesn’t involve tapping your equity.
- Conventional refinances aren’t a part of a government loan program. You can expect them to come with higher rates than government-backed refinances.
- FHA refinances are insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), so you get a little more flexibility with qualifying requirements than you will with conventional loans. FHA refinance rates are also usually lower than conventional refinance rates.
- VA refinances usually offer the lowest VA rates available. That’s because they’re backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Their main downside is that you have to be a qualified military borrower to take advantage of them.
See whether refinancing makes sense for you using our mortgage refinance calculator.
What is the current mortgage rates forecast?
The current mortgage interest rates forecast is for rates to remain around 6.0% in early 2026. The Fed cut rates three times in 2025, but this did not help drop mortgage rates very much until the final cut in December. Still, rates aren’t expected to fall more as we enter homebuying season in 2026.
Inflation and home prices are expected to remain high for now, so potential D.C. homebuyers should focus on qualifying for the best rates to get the lowest monthly payment on their home loan.
How do I get the best mortgage rate for my Washington, D.C., home loan?
A winning strategy for homebuyers is to ignore the factors determining mortgage rates that are out of your control, and focus on the ones that’ll get you results.
Here are a few steps you can take right now to get the best mortgage rate:
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Boost your credit
It’s crucial to understand your credit score, as it’s the single biggest factor influencing the mortgage rates lenders offer you. To check your credit score and learn which factors are most important in your unique case, sign up for LendingTree Spring. -
Lower your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio
Lenders lean on your DTI ratio when evaluating how heavy your debt load is, and whether you can take on more. You can lower your DTI and get better rate offers by increasing your income, paying off some debts or getting a cosigner. -
Buy a single-family, site-built home
Lenders view other home types — like manufactured homes, properties with multiple units, vacation homes and investment properties — as more risky, so they charge higher interest rates when financing them. -
Pay for mortgage points
Mortgage points allow you to reduce your interest rate — for a fee. One point typically costs 1% of your loan amount and reduces your rate by up to 0.25 percentage points. However, before you pull the trigger on points, it’s wise to compare this strategy to simply paying down your mortgage’s principal balance by that same amount. -
Compare offers from multiple lenders
Take the time to gather loan estimates from three to five lenders. Compare the rates you’re quoted and choose the lowest one — it can save you thousands in interest fees over the life of your loan, according to LendingTree data.
Read more about our picks for the best mortgage lenders.
If you have a loan estimate in hand and you’re ready to move forward, you should request that the lender give you a mortgage rate lock. This will hold the rate quoted in that loan estimate for you — if you don’t get a lock, your rate could increase before you make it to closing.
Washington, D.C., home loan programs
DHCD Home Purchase Assistance Program
This program from the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) offers up to $202,000 through a second mortgage that can be used to cover your entire down payment, as well as up to $4,000 to be used for closing costs. Moderate-income households will begin making monthly, interest-free payments after five years of ownership, and must fully repay the loans within 40 years. Low- and very low-income households won’t have to make any payments. However, if you sell, refinance or move out of the home, you’ll have to repay the assistance immediately.
Who qualifies
Borrowers must:
- Be a first-time homebuyer
- Be the head of the household
- Earn within the program’s income limits
- Contribute $500 or 50% of your liquid assets over $3,000 (whichever is greater)
- Have “good” credit, which is usually defined as a FICO Score of 670 and above
Who qualifies as a first-time homebuyer
- People who have never owned a home
- People who haven’t owned residential real estate in the last three years
DC Open Doors Down Payment Assistance Program
DC Open Doors can help you purchase a home by joining the buying power of a low-interest-rate mortgage with a second loan that covers the entire down payment amount. Both first-time homebuyers and repeat buyers can qualify, and you aren’t required to be a current D.C. resident.
Who qualifies
Borrowers must:
- Have a minimum 640 credit score
- Earn no more than $199,200 per year
- Purchase a home with a first mortgage for no more than $766,550
DC4ME
DC4ME is a special first-time homebuyer program for government employees (and their co-borrowers) who want to purchase a home in the District of Columbia. The program provides a purchase mortgage with a low interest rate and, optionally, another loan for down payment funds up to 3%.
Who qualifies
Borrowers must:
- Earn no more than 120% of the area median income (maximum of $199,200)
- Purchase a home for no more than $766,550
- Have a 640 minimum credit score
- Take a homebuyer education course
Get the full details about each program at the DC Housing Finance Agency’s website.
Learn about different types of D.C. mortgage loans
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Washington, D.C., conventional loans
If you have strong credit, your first consideration should be a conventional loan. They typically offer good value for borrowers who can qualify for them, but you’ll need to meet the minimum requirements set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac — including a 620 minimum credit score. -
Washington, D.C., FHA loans
If conventional loan requirements aren’t within reach, your next stop should be an FHA loan. They’re far more forgiving and allow borrowers to qualify with credit scores as low as 500. You’ll have to make a 10% down payment if your score is between 500 and 579 — but if you have at least a 580 score, you’re able to put down only 3.5%. -
Washington, D.C., VA loans
VA loan requirements offer even more flexibility than FHA loans, but they’re only available to qualified military borrowers. For those with full VA entitlement, there’s the option to purchase or refinance a home with 0% down. -
Washington, D.C., streamline refinances
only apply if you’re looking at an FHA streamline refinance loan or VA interest rate reduction refinance loan (IRRRL). These loan programs let you refinance from an FHA loan into an FHA loan, or from a VA loan into another VA loan. They get their “streamline” name from the fact that borrowers typically spend less time chasing down paperwork or jumping through additional hurdles, compared to other refinance types.