Mortgage rates tend to fluctuate day by day. So if you’re planning to buy a home, it’s a good idea to keep a close watch on interest rates and weigh various mortgage options. One common type of mortgage is a conventional loan with a 15-year fixed interest rate.

Mortgage interest rates are consistently declining again. Here are three things homebuyers should do in response.

News Oklahoma's Cathy Tatom looks into what is keeping mortgage interest rates in the 6% to 7% range instead of falling back to the 3% range of just a few years ago.

High summer’s heat may be making home equity rates sleepy. The average rate on a $30,000 home equity line of credit (HELOC) was unchanged at 8.27 percent for the fifth straight week, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. The average rate on the $30,000 home equity loan barely stirred, moving two basis points up to 8.28 percent.

A growing number of homeowners say no rate would make them sell, making it even harder for buyers to find homes.

Whether you’re buying your first or fifth home, an FHA loan can make it easier to afford a mortgage. These loans typically have lower down payment and credit score requirements compared to conventional loans.

Today’s mortgage rates: 30-year fixed at 6.625%, 15-year at 5.75%. Explore trends and what buyers should know now.