A Journey Through History: Mortgage Rates from 1995 to 2025. Want to know the real story behind mortgage rates? Let's take a thrilling trip back in time and explore the historical data that shapes our “date the rate, marry the house ORIGINAL BLOG” strategy today! The numbers from 1995 to 2025 reveal a wild ride of ups and downs, proving that timing the market has always been a game-changer.

Here's what the archives tell us:

• 1995: Kicked off with FHA rates at 7.65%, Conventional at 7.9%, and VA at 7.53%, with yearly averages climbing to 7.85%, 7.93%, and 7.60% respectively (Freddie Mac PMMS).
• 1996-1997: Rates dipped slightly, with FHA at 7.55% and 7.35%, Conventional at 7.8% and 7.6%, and VA at 7.43% and 7.23%, averaging around 7.80%, 7.81%, and 7.55% in 1996, then 7.65%, 7.60%, and 7.35% in 1997.
• 1998: A sweet drop to 6.65% for FHA, 6.9% for Conventional, and 6.53% for VA, with averages hitting 7.10%, 6.94%, and 6.85% - a sign of opportunities to come!
• 1999-2000: Rates climbed back up, reaching 7.15% and 7.85% for FHA, 7.4% and 8.1% for Conventional, and 7.03% and 7.73% for VA, averaging 7.40%, 7.44%, 7.15% in 1999, and 8.05% across the board in 2000.
• 2001-2003: A rollercoaster decline saw FHA at 6.65%, 6.25%, and 5.55%, Conventional at 6.9%, 6.5%, and 5.8%, and VA at 6.53%, 6.13%, and 5.43%, with averages like 7.00%, 6.97%, 6.75% in 2001, 6.55%, 6.54%, 6.30% in 2002, and a low 5.85%, 5.83%, 5.60% in 2003.
• 2004-2007: Stability with a slight rise - FHA held at 5.55% to 6.15%, Conventional at 5.8% to 6.4%, and VA at 5.43% to 6.03%, averaging 5.85% to 6.45% across the board.
• 2008-2011: The financial crisis brought rates down - FHA from 5.75% to 4.25%, Conventional from 6% to 4.5%, and VA from 5.63% to 4.13%, with averages dropping to 6.05%, 6.03%, 5.80% in 2008, 5.05%, 5.04%, 4.80% in 2009, 4.70%, 4.69%, 4.45% in 2010, and 4.45%, 4.45%, 4.20% in 2011.
• 2012-2016: Historic lows emerged - FHA at 3.45% to 3.65%, Conventional at 3.7% to 3.9%, and VA at 3.33% to 3.53%, averaging 3.65% to 4.15% over these years.
• 2017-2019: A gradual climb back - FHA from 3.65% to 4.25%, Conventional from 3.9% to 4.5%, and VA from 3.53% to 4.13%, with averages like 4.00%, 3.99%, 3.75% in 2017, and 4.55%, 4.54%, 4.30% in 2018.
• 2020-2021: Pandemic lows stunned us - FHA at 2.85% and 2.75%, Conventional at 3.1% and 3%, and VA at 2.73% and 2.63%, averaging 3.10%, 3.11%, 2.85% in 2020, and 3.05%, 2.96%, 2.70% in 2021.
• 2022-2025: A sharp rise hit - FHA from 5.05% to 6.5%, Conventional from 5.3% to 6.75%, and VA from 4.93% to 6.38%, with averages jumping to 5.35%, 5.34%, 5.10% in 2022, 6.80%, 6.81%, 6.55% in 2023, 6.75%, 6.77%, 6.50% in 2024, and 6.70%, 6.75%, 5.88% in 2025 (FRED data).

Over the decades, averages settle at 5.60% for FHA, 5.62% for Conventional, and 5.36% for VA, with sources like Freddie Mac PMMS, FRED, Bankrate, and Mortgage News Daily painting a vivid picture. This historical dance of rates shows that dips and peaks are part of the game - perfect for mastering the “date the rate” move!

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