Job openings climbed and your rate ticked up. Here's the payment.

Today's average rate is 6.375% (6.424% APR). It moved up a small step this week because job openings came in stronger than expected and wages are still climbing at 4.4% a year. When hiring stays hot, the government expects inflation to stick around, and the bonds that set mortgage rates react fast. The rate the government pays to borrow moved up two ticks, and your mortgage rate followed.

On a $600,000 loan, 6.375% (6.424% APR) costs you about $3,730 a month in principal and interest. If you need a lower payment up front, the 40-year interest-only option at 6.625% (6.764% APR) drops that to around $3,313 for the interest-only period. Thursday's jobs report will tell us if this move sticks or reverses. If hiring slows, rates could dip back down fast.

I pull rates every morning and I answer my own phone. If you want to know what you qualify for today or whether to lock before Thursday, call me and we'll figure it out together.

Rates shown are today's average California rates as of 6/24/2026, for general information only and not an offer or commitment to lend. Your actual rate and APR depend on your credit, loan amount, down payment, and property, and rates and terms can change at any time. Brett Hickman, NMLS #2010859. Home First Financial, NMLS #2465048. Equal Housing Lender.