The top five mortgage lenders have rates in the upper-5% range, according to a Yahoo Finance survey. Rates are ranked by APR, which includes lender fees. Citi Mortgage leads with a rate of 5.755%, followed by Navy Federal Credit Union at 5.763%, PenFed Credit Union at 5.939%, Chase Home Loans at 5.970%, and Better at 5.986%.

Flagstar Bank joins the top 10 mortgage lenders list with an APR of 6.206%, positioned in the lower tier with rates above 6%. The top lender, Citi Mortgage, has a 1.04 percentage point difference in APR from Third Federal. This variance could save borrowers over $220 a month and $80,000 in interest over a 30-year loan.

Shopping around for mortgage rates is crucial, potentially saving borrowers up to $44,000 over the life of a 30-year loan. While interest rates are typically highlighted, the APR, including both interest and lender fees, is the most important figure. Discount points can reduce the interest rate but are optional and can add confusion.

When comparing rates, focus on the APR for an accurate comparison of rates and fees. Lenders may include discount points in their advertised rates, but they are optional. Request quotes with zero discount points for a clear side-by-side comparison. Remember, the APR is the most accurate measure of annual borrowing costs.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Mortgage lenders with the best rates this week, Dec. 22-28, 2025