Overview of Louisiana Mortgages
Louisiana is a multicultural state rich in history. In terms of population, Louisiana is right in the middle of the country. In a similar fashion, Louisiana's mortgage rates have also traditionally stuck close to the national average.
| Product | Today | Last Week | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 year fixed | 6.88% | 6.75% | +0.13 |
| 15 year fixed | 6.38% | 6.88% | -0.50 |
| 5/1 ARM | 6.13% | 6.13% | 0.00 |
| 30 yr fixed mtg refi | 6.38% | 6.38% | 0.00 |
| 15 yr fixed mtg refi | 5.50% | 5.50% | 0.00 |
| 7/1 ARM refi | 7.50% | 5.75% | +1.75 |
| 15 yr jumbo fixed mtg refi | 3.09% | 3.11% | -0.03 |
National Mortgage Rates
| Lender | APR | Payment |
| Searching for Mortgages...  |
Historical Mortgage Rates in Louisiana
Louisiana Mortgage Rates Quick Facts
- Median Home Value: $192,800 (U.S. Census Bureau)
- Loan Funding Rate: 51.91% (CFPB)
- Homeownership Rate: 68.9% (St. Louis Fed)
- Median Monthly Homeownership Costs: $1,376 (U.S. Census Bureau)
Louisiana is renowned for its spicy cuisine, bayous and New Orleans’ French Quarter. For homeowners and prospective buyers in the Pelican State, mortgage rates are typically close to the national average.
A financial advisor in Louisiana 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.
Louisiana Mortgages Overview
Whether you are looking to become a resident of New Orleans or settle down in the capital city of Baton Rouge, you should determine a budget based on how much house you can afford. You may also want to look into getting mortgage preapproval from a lender as it will streamline the process of securing a home.
The conforming limit for every Louisiana county is at the standard $726,200. The FHA loan limits are also uniform at $472,030. This indicates that homes in the Bayou State are generally affordable.
Disclosure laws in Louisiana require that sellers disclose the physical condition of the home as well as any defects. A home inspection is still the best way to feel confident in a property purchase.
30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates in Louisiana
If you are looking to become a homeowner in the Bayou State, one of your loan options is a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. This reliable home loan option gives you three decades to pay off your mortgage. Because your interest rate will remain the same for the duration of the loan, you know exactly how much your monthly payments will be, which is helpful for budgeting. Another option is a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage which will allow you to pay off your loan faster and has a lower interest rate, but your monthly payments will be higher with this option.
The average Louisiana rate for a fixed 30-year mortgage is 5.86% (Zillow, Jan. 2023).
Louisiana Jumbo Loan Rates
Every county in Louisiana has the standard conforming loan limit of $726,200. Conforming loans can be re-sold on the secondary mortgage market and qualify for standard interest rates. If you need to take out a home loan in Louisiana that is bigger than $726,200, it will be considered a “jumbo loan.” You should be aware that jumbo loans are accompanied by higher interest rates.
Lenders consider jumbo loans to be riskier than conforming loans because more money is on the line. The higher interest rates are meant to compensate for that additional risk. However, jumbo loan rates are currently quite low.
The average jumbo loan rate in Louisiana is 6.47% (Zillow, Jan. 2023).
Louisiana ARM Loan Rates
An adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) stands in contrast to a fixed-rate mortgage in the sense that the interest rate can change over the life of the loan. Usually an ARM will come with a lower interest rate for an introductory period that lasts somewhere between one and 10 years. After that initial period, the interest rate can go up or down, though it will generally increase.
If you are considering an ARM, you should know that the loan’s terms will spell out how many times the interest rate can change and the highest possible rate it can reach. It’s a wise idea to assess whether the maximum potential interest rate is one that you can afford.
The average rate for a 5/1 ARM in Louisiana is 5.65% (Zillow, Jan. 2023).
Louisiana Mortgage Resources
Do you need assistance purchasing a Louisiana home? There are resources out there to help you in your mortgage process. You can learn more about the Louisiana Housing Corporation, the Office of Community Development and the USDA Rural Development program at their websites.
The United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development offers programs to develop rural communities in Louisiana by providing aid for affordable housing for residents. Loans and grants are available for people hoping to buy a home.
Louisiana Mortgage Taxes
Homeowners who itemize their deductions when they file federal income taxes are allowed to deduct the mortgage interest they pay from their taxable income. In Louisiana, homeowners can include that deduction on their state income taxes as well. Also note that unlike some other states, Louisiana does not charge real estate transfer taxes which is a nice bonus for homebuyers here.
Louisiana Mortgage Refinance
If you’ve decided it’s time for you to refinance, remember that you are not obligated to continue working with the lender who issued your current mortgage (though of course you can). Be aware that you are free to shop around with other refinance lenders and compare rates to find one that truly works for you.
You can also look into the High Loan-to-Value Refinance Option from Fannie Mae.
