One of the most confusing aspects of Mortgage rates is understanding the difference between an advertised Interest Rate and the APR, or annual percentage rate. The APR is the actual interest rate that you will pay on a mortgage loan including fees. This makes it easier to compare rates that do not have fees with rates that may include fees or points. The APR was intended to make this comparison simpler, but instead, it often adds to the confusion. Just keep in mind, that the Annual Percentage Rate is likely to be different than the advertised mortgage rate because of the additional fees.
The overall range of mortgage rates are determined by the interest rate Mortgage Bonds or Mortgage Backed Securities. Mortgage rates are based on long-term investment strategies. The supply and demand of the Mortgage Bonds and Securities are the strongest factor for influencing the overall range of the rates. The lower the demand, the higher the supply and the lower the rates.