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Hawaii Mortgage and Refinance Rates

On Tuesday, November 05, 2024, the national average 30-year fixed mortgage APR is 6.98%. The national average 30-year fixed refinance APR is 6.96%, according ... to Bankrate's latest survey of the nation's largest mortgage lenders.

Current mortgage rates in Hawaii

As of Tuesday, November 5, 2024, current interest rates in Hawaii are 6.94% for a 30-year fixed mortgage and 6.22% for a 15-year fixed mortgage. That represents a drop of more than one full point since the fall of 2023 when mortgage rates were hovering in 7.5% territory.

While mortgage rates have been falling in Hawaii, don’t expect buying a home here to feel like an island breeze. Home prices in Hawaii make it one of the most expensive states in the country, with the median price for a single-family home $1.083 million as of August 2024, according to data from Hawaii Realtors. If you’re looking for the most affordable places, it might be best to focus your search on the island of Hawaii, where the single-family home median price was $555,000 as of August 2024.

Refinance rates in Hawaii

Refinance rates are way up from historic lows, but they’re much more appealing than they were in the fall of 2023. If you recently purchased your home in Hawaii, a refinance could save you a lot of money by reducing your interest rate. If you’ve owned your property here for a long time and have some bigger financial goals, you might be in a position to consider a cash-out refinance to leverage your equity. Use Bankrate’s mortgage refinance calculator to run the numbers.

Hawaii mortgage rate trends

Whether you’re looking for current mortgage rates in Honolulu or elsewhere in The Aloha State, things have been looking quite a bit more promising in recent months. Looking ahead, there is a big question that will determine what happens with rates next: How fast – and — will the Federal Reserve continue to reduce rates? 

National mortgage rates by loan type

Product Interest Rate APR
30-Year Fixed Rate 6.93% 6.98%
15-Year Fixed Rate 6.20% 6.28%
5-1 ARM 6.39% 7.26%
30-Year Fixed Rate FHA 6.93% 6.97%
30-Year Fixed Rate VA 7.01% 7.05%
30-Year Fixed Rate Jumbo 6.98% 7.03%

Rates as of Tuesday, November 05, 2024 at 6:30 AM

 

 

Mortgage statistics for Hawaii

Everything in Hawaii costs more, including housing — part of why it has one of the lowest homeownership rates in the U.S. Here’s a rundown of some key data points to help you navigate the home search:

  • Median single-family home sales price, August 2024: $1.083 million
  • Median condo sales price, August 2024: $685,250
  • Median down payment, June 2024: $195,200
  • Homeownership rate, Q4 2023: 61.8%

Sources: ATTOM, Hawaii Realtors, U.S. Census Bureau

Mortgage options in Hawaii

If you’re looking to get a mortgage in Hawaii, consider these loan options:

  • Hawaii conventional mortgages: To qualify for a conventional loan, you’ll need a credit score of at least 620 and a debt-to-income (DTI) ratio of no more than 45%. If you make a down payment of less than 20%, you’ll need to pay for private mortgage insurance (PMI), as well.
  • Hawaii FHA loans: If your credit history disqualifies you from a conventional loan, you might be eligible for a loan insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). For this type of mortgage, you’ll need a credit score of at least 580 with a 3.5% down payment. As with a conventional loan, if you put down less than 20% on an FHA loan, you’ll be on the hook for mortgage insurance.
  • Hawaii VA loans: If you’re an eligible veteran or active-duty member of the military, you might qualify for a mortgage backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). A VA loan doesn’t require a down payment or mortgage insurance, but you do need to pay a funding fee.
  • Hawaii jumbo loans: Hawaii’s home prices are notoriously high, which means that more buyers may need to borrow a chunk of money that exceeds the conforming loan limits. If that’s the case, you’ll need to learn more about jumbo loans, which require a down payment of at least 10% and good to excellent credit.

First-time homebuyer programs in Hawaii

If you’re an eligible first-time homebuyer in Hawaii, you might want to consider one or more of these special financing programs:

  • HHOC Mortgage Down Payment Assistance Loan: This program requires just 3 percent down and comes with a maximum interest rate of 4.5%.
  • HHOC Mortgage Deferred Closing Costs Assistance Loan: This program includes a 15-year deferred loan of up to $15,000 on a 6:1 matching basis to help you cover your down payment and closing costs, including points.
  • HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union first-time homebuyer mortgage program: If you’re a member of this credit union, you might qualify for its first-time homebuyer mortgage, which requires only 3 percent down and waives some loan origination costs.
  • Honolulu Down Payment Loan Program: Available to homebuyers on Oahu who meet fairly stringent income restrictions, this program provides a zero-fee, zero-interest, 20-year loan of up to $40,000 to help with the down payment.
  • Mortgage credit certificate (MCC): Hawaii’s mortgage credit certificate (MCC) allows you to convert a portion of your mortgage interest into a federal tax credit, up to 20% each year. You’ll need to be within income and purchase price limits to qualify for the credit, and there’s a fee to obtain it.

How to find the best mortgage rate in Hawaii for you

Research shows comparing more than one mortgage loan offer could help you save thousands of dollars in interest costs. Bankrate can help you find the best mortgage deal in today’s volatile rate environment. As you shop around, keep these tips in mind:

  1. Step 1: Strengthen your credit score

  2. Step 2: Determine your budget

  3. Step 3: Know your mortgage options

  4. Step 4: Compare rates and terms from multiple lenders

  5. Step 5: Get preapproved for a mortgage