Mortgage Rates

Real numbers, not a guessing game

When you’re shopping for a mortgage, you don’t want a ballpark from a friend or a screenshot from six months ago. You want to know what a loan actually costs today. Choice One publishes current mortgage rates you can check in real time, compare across terms, and turn into a quick quote whenever you’re ready. And because we’re a local credit union rather than a faceless national lender, the person behind the number is someone you can call.

See today’s mortgage rates

Our rates update as the market moves, so what you see is what’s current. When you view Choice One mortgage rates, you can compare options or get a quick quote for:

• Home purchases and refinances
• Fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages
• Conventional, FHA, VA, PHFA, USDA, and construction loans

From there, you can start an application or request a quote, whatever feels like the natural next step.

What you’re getting when you finance with Choice One

A mortgage is bigger than its interest rate. It’s a relationship that can last decades, so it’s worth looking at the whole package. Finance with us and you get:

• Competitive fixed and adjustable rates
• Financing up to 95% loan-to-value
• A no-points program option
• Terms up to 30 years
• Low closing costs
• FHA loans with down payments as low as 3.5%

In many cases, the mortgage interest you pay may be tax-deductible, which can lower your true cost of borrowing.*

*Always check with your tax advisor. Whether your mortgage interest is deductible depends on your individual tax situation.

What actually shapes the rate you’re offered

The rate on a rate sheet is a starting point. Your personal rate gets built from several moving parts, and understanding them helps you see where you have room to improve.

• Market conditions. Broad interest rate trends and the wider economy set the floor everyone works from. Nobody controls this part, not even us.
• Your credit profile. Your credit history, score, and existing debt tell a lender how a loan is likely to go. Stronger credit generally earns a better rate.
• Loan type and term. A 15-year fixed prices differently than a 30-year fixed, and conventional prices differently than FHA, VA, PHFA, or USDA. The structure you choose matters.
• Down payment and loan-to-value. The more you put down relative to the home’s value, the less risk the lender takes on, and that can work in your favor.
• Occupancy and property type. A primary residence, a second home, and an investment property don’t price the same, and a single-family home differs from a multi-unit.

Our mortgage team can walk these factors through with you, so you understand why you qualify for a given rate and how a small change, like adjusting your term or your down payment, could move your monthly number.

Fixed or adjustable: which structure fits you

One of the biggest rate decisions isn’t the number at all. It’s whether you want it to stay put.

A fixed-rate mortgage locks your interest rate for the entire loan. Your principal-and-interest payment never changes, whether you’re two months in or twenty years. Fixed rates are the go-to for buyers who plan to stay put and value knowing exactly what they’ll owe.

An adjustable-rate mortgage starts lower and stays fixed for an introductory stretch before it begins adjusting with the market. If you don’t expect to keep the loan long term, or you’re comfortable with some movement down the road, an ARM’s lower starting rate can be an advantage. The key is going in with your eyes open, and we’ll make sure you understand exactly how yours would behave.

How to put yourself in position for a better rate

You have more influence here than you might think. Before you apply, a few moves can strengthen the rate you’re offered:

• Tend to your credit. Pull your report, fix any errors, pay down balances, and keep every payment on time. A few months of clean history can matter.
• Bring a little more to the table. A larger down payment lowers your loan-to-value and can nudge your rate in the right direction.
• Weigh your term. A shorter term usually carries a lower rate, though the monthly payment runs higher. It’s a trade-off worth doing the math on.
• Ask about points. Paying points buys your rate down; our no-points program skips them. Which is smarter depends on how long you’ll keep the loan, and we’re happy to run both scenarios.
• Have your paperwork ready. Pay stubs, W-2s, tax returns, and bank statements keep things moving and help you lock a rate sooner.

Why a credit union’s pricing can work in your favor

You’ll often find that credit union mortgage terms compare well against the big banks, and there’s a reason. Choice One is member-owned and not-for-profit. We don’t answer to outside shareholders chasing a bigger return, and we don’t pour money into national ad campaigns and marble lobbies. That leaner setup lets us focus on our members and pass value back to you. Just as important, we look at your application as a whole person, not a data point, and we’re genuinely interested in getting you into a loan that works.

Already have a mortgage elsewhere?

If your current home loan is with another lender, it’s worth a quick look at what moving it to Choice One could do. A refinance might lower your payment, shorten your term, or switch you from an adjustable rate to the predictability of a fixed one. See our mortgage refinance page to explore whether the timing makes sense for you.

Mortgage rate questions we hear a lot

Is the rate I see online the rate I’ll get? It’s your starting point. Your final rate depends on your credit, your down payment, the loan type and term, and the details of the property. The fastest way to know your number is to apply for a quick quote.

Can I lock my rate? Rate locks hold your quoted rate for a set window while your loan is processed, which protects you if the market moves during closing. Ask our team about lock options when you apply.

What are points, and do I have to pay them? Points are an upfront fee you can pay to lower your interest rate. You’re not required to, and our no-points program lets you skip them. Whether points pay off depends on how long you’ll keep the loan.

How often do mortgage rates change? Frequently, sometimes more than once in a day, because they track the broader market. That’s exactly why we show current rates you can check in real time rather than a stale figure.

Does getting pre-approved affect my rate? Pre-approval gives you a clear, credible sense of what you qualify for and strengthens your offer to sellers. Your final rate is set when you lock, based on the details of your loan.

Check today’s rates and let’s talk

You’ve done the hard part by getting serious about a home. Finding the right rate and the right lender shouldn’t be the complicated part. You can move at whatever pace suits you:

1. View today’s rates. Tap View Mortgage Rates to see current options for purchases and refinances.
2. Apply or get a quick quote online. Use our secure mortgage application to get pre-approved or start a full application on your schedule.
3. Talk with a local Mortgage Advisor. Prefer a conversation? Call or visit any Choice One branch in Plains Township, Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton, Old Forge, or Kingston, and we’ll go through your goals, your budget, and the numbers together.

From first-time buyers to longtime homeowners, we’re here to match the right mortgage with the right rate for your next move.

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