Overview of Minnesota Mortgages
Minnesota is a prosperous state in the upper Midwest with high levels of education and voter turnout. Minnesota mortgage rates have remained around national averages over the past decade. Minnesota counties’ conforming loan limits hold steady at average, but there’s a bit more variation in the FHA loan limits.
| Product | Today | Last Week | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 year fixed | 7.99% | 7.99% | 0.00 |
| 15 year fixed | 7.50% | 7.50% | 0.00 |
| 5/1 ARM | 6.38% | 6.25% | +0.13 |
| 30 yr fixed mtg refi | 6.63% | 6.25% | +0.38 |
| 15 yr fixed mtg refi | 5.99% | 5.88% | +0.12 |
| 7/1 ARM refi | 6.25% | 6.25% | 0.00 |
| 15 yr jumbo fixed mtg refi | 3.12% | 3.16% | -0.04 |
National Mortgage Rates
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Historical Mortgage Rates in Minnesota
Minnesota Mortgage Rates Quick Facts
- Median Home Value: $285,400 (U.S. Census Bureau)
- Loan Funding Rate: 64.45% (CFPB)
- Homeownership Rate: 75.6% (St. Louis FRED)
- Median Monthly Homeownership Costs: $1,682 (U.S. Census Bureau)
The North Star State is famously home to 10,000 lakes, Voyageurs National Park and the diverse cultural hub of the Twin Cities, which more than half of its residents call home. As for the housing market, Minnesota mortgage rates have typically been right around the national average.
A financial advisor in Minnesota can help you plan for the homebuying process. Financial advisors can also help with investing and financial plans, including tax, retirement and estate planning, to make sure you are preparing for the future.
*The FHFA stopped reporting new data in 2018.
Minnesota Mortgages Overview
Minnesota real estate is less expensive than in many other parts of the U.S. That means affordable monthly mortgage payments for a majority of Minnesota homeowners. The median home value in Minnesota is $285,400, right around the national average.
The state's mostly standard home prices are reflected in the fact that the conforming loan limits for every Minnesota county is the standard $726,200. The majority of the state's 87 counties have a baseline FHA limit of $472,030. There are several counties with increased FHA limits of $515,200.
Home foreclosure laws vary by state. Some states are recourse states, where a lender is allowed to go after your assets or savings for a deficiency. That deficiency means the difference between your home’s worth and the amount owed on a mortgage if you go into foreclosure. But Minnesota is a non-recourse state, meaning you generally would not be liable for the deficiency in a foreclosure.
Minnesota is also a deed of trust state, which is different than a mortgage. When you take out a mortgage in Minnesota you’ll most likely get a deed of trust document. That type of document means that a lender can bypass the court system if it wants to foreclose on a home. The lender can involve a third party and initiate a power of sale on the home it wants to it auction off.
Minnesota has fairly significant seller disclosure laws. Home sellers are required to disclose any physical defects within the home, as well as environmental information - like railroad tracks near the house where you hear trains daily. Regardless, it is always a wise idea to get a home inspection before closing on a property.
30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates in Minnesota
If you are looking for a home loan in Minnesota, more likely than not you will land on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. This is the most popular type of home loan and is especially attractive to people who plan on staying in their new home for a long time. As its name implies, a fixed-rate mortgage is one in which the interest rate remains the same for the duration of the loan. In addition to a 30-year loan, you can also consider 15-year or 20-year terms.
The average Minnesota rate for a fixed 30-year mortgage is 5.89% (Zillow, Jan. 2023).
Minnesota Jumbo Loan Rates
Conforming loan limits in the North Star State stick to the average $726,200 because most homes fit within that range. As a result, there are fewer "jumbo loan" mortgages in Minnesota. These loans meet the $726,200 conforming loan amount.
If you do need to take on a jumbo loan in order to purchase the Minnesota home that you have your heart set on, remember that your loan will be accompanied by higher interest rates. That may be reason enough to reconsider and stick to a home that fits more comfortably in your budget. However, note that current jumbo loan rates in Minnesota are lower than those for fixed-rate mortgages.
The average 30-year fixed jumbo loan rate in Minnesota is 5.95% (Zillow, Jan. 2023).
Minnesota ARM Loan Rates
If you are purchasing a starter home that you plan on moving out of relatively quickly, an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) may be something for you to consider. The interest rate on an ARM is generally lower than on a fixed-rate mortgage for a set period of time between one and 10 years, depending on the terms of the loan. When that introductory period ends however, the rate changes once a year and you can usually count on it going up.
On the plus side, there are fewer surprises with an ARM than you might think. The loan’s terms lay out how often the rate can increase, as well as the highest maximum amount it can jump to.
Even if you plan to be out of the home before the introductory rate ends, it is best that you check the cap on the interest rate listed in the terms before signing, to ensure that it is something you can afford to pay if your plans were to change.
The average rate for a 5/1 ARM in Minnesota is 5.44% (Zillow, Jan. 2023).
Minnesota Mortgage Resources
For homebuyers looking for a part of Minnesota to call their own, there are resources out there to help you in your mortgage process.
The City of Lakes Community Land Trust Homebuyer Initiated Program offers grants to low- to moderate-income families to help them buy a home. The HIP Affordability Investment Grant reduces the amount of mortgage financing needed to purchase a home in Minneapolis. These grants range up to $58,500 depending on the income and size of the household. The Rehab Grant offers up to $25,000 for homeowners to repair their Homebuyer Initiated Program-purchased home.
Minnesota Housing, the state’s housing finance agency offers a number of programs ranging from down payment assistance to expert mortgage and homebuying help. Qualification requirements depend on the program and can be tied to income or other metrics.
The Minnesota Housing Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) Program offers a tax credit of up to $2,000 per year for first-time homebuyers in the Twin Cities area. This helps to reduce the buyer’s federal income tax.
And the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development offers a program in rural Minnesota communities to help residents secure affordable housing. It is worth checking to see if you qualify for a loan or grant from the USDA.
Minnesota Mortgage Taxes
Minnesota charges transfer taxes on real estate transactions. Deed taxes are 0.33% and mortgage registry taxes are 0.23%. Discuss this tax with your lawyer or accountant before buying. In Minnesota transactions, the seller typically pays this fee.
If you are a homeowner in Minnesota and you itemize deductions on your taxes, take note that you are allowed to deduct the mortgage interest you pay from your taxable income on both your federal income taxes and your state income taxes.
Minnesota Mortgage Refinance
Homeowners in the North Star State who want to refinance can no longer look to the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP), as it has officially expired. Instead, Fannie Mae has created its own alternative: the High Loan-to-Value Refinance Option.
