How do I get the lowest mortgage rate? Tips you can use.

Mortgage rates have risen from below 6% to near 7% in 2026. To secure the lowest rates, borrowers should improve credit scores, lower debt-to-income ratios, make larger down payments, and consider buying discount points. Other strategies include interest rate buydowns, adjustable-rate mortgages, shorter-term loans, and assumable mortgages. Shopping among lenders and using seller concessions can also help reduce rates. Refinancing may be beneficial if rates drop significantly later.