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Mortgage and refinance rates hold near one-year highs after bond moves

The average 30-year fixed rate was 6.50% on August 21, 2026, while the 15-year fixed rate was 6.00%, and refinancing rates were reported as often higher than purchase rates.

Saturday, August 22, 2026 · Written up by our desk · Mortgages

Mortgage and refinance interest rates remained near one-year highs on Friday, August 21, 2026, even as government bond buybacks were initiated by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, according to Yahoo Finance citing the Zillow lender marketplace.

Yahoo Finance reported that the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.50% on August 21, down two basis points from the prior day. The 15-year fixed rate was 6.00%, up eight basis points, and the 5/1 ARM was 6.25%, down 29 basis points versus Thursday.

The outlet said the figures are national averages rounded to the nearest hundredth, and that mortgage refinance rates are often higher than purchase rates, though it can vary case by case.

Yahoo Finance also noted that a borrower’s mortgage rate affects monthly payment size, and that inputs like down payment and loan term can influence the interest rate a lender offers.

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