Colorado mortgage rates in 2026 — what to expect.
There's no such thing as today's rate — there's only your rate. Here's what actually drives it, what's moving the market right now, and how to get your real number.
Rates by state
State-specific pricing, loan limits, and market commentary.
What actually determines your rate
Six factors do most of the work. Knowing how each one moves your pricing is the difference between guessing at a rate and understanding the number you're quoted.
Credit Score
FICO drives pricing more than any other single factor. The best conventional pricing kicks in at 740+, and every 20-point drop below 740 typically adds 0.125%–0.25% to your rate. Below 680, pricing hits start stacking quickly.
Down Payment / LTV
Loan-to-value matters as much as credit on conventional loans. 25%+ down gets the best pricing, 20% is the next tier, and anything above 80% LTV adds either PMI or a rate adjustment. FHA and VA price flat regardless of LTV.
Loan Type
Government loans (VA, FHA, USDA) almost always price below conventional — sometimes by a full 0.5%. Conventional is the middle tier. Jumbo and DSCR investor loans sit higher because they aren't backed by Fannie, Freddie, or a government agency.
Property Type
Single-family detached primary homes get the best pricing. Condos add ~0.25–0.75% depending on LTV. Second homes add ~0.375%, and investment properties add anywhere from 0.75% to 1.5% on conventional loans.
Occupancy
Owner-occupied is the cheapest money on the market. Second homes price slightly higher. Investment property pricing depends on LTV and reserves — and DSCR loans (qualifying on the rental income, not your W-2) trade easier underwriting for a higher rate.
Lock Period
30-day locks are the standard benchmark. 15-day locks can shave a touch off pricing if you're ready to close fast. 45- and 60-day locks cost slightly more but protect you on longer purchase contracts and new construction.
What's moving rates right now
Mortgage Rates Today: Volatility Remains the Story
Mortgage rates remain under pressure today as financial markets react to another rise in oil prices and continued uncertainty around inflation.
Mortgage-backed securities had a volatile session, moving lower throughout portions of the day before recovering some of those losses. The minutes from the Federal Reserve's June meeting also showed an unusually wide divide among Fed officials about where inflation is headed and what monetary policy should look like moving forward.
The takeaway for homebuyers
Rates remain volatile, but volatility can create opportunity. Rather than trying to perfectly time the market, buyers should focus on the payment, loan structure, and whether the home makes sense for their financial situation.
For borrowers already under contract
Today's market is another reminder that rates can move quickly. A strong loan strategy—including understanding when to lock and when it may make sense to float—matters in a market like this.
At Tayton Capital, we help borrowers compare loan options and structure financing around their specific goals, whether they're buying a primary residence, second home, or investment property.
Get your actual rate.
There's no such thing as today's rate — there's only your rate, based on your full picture. Tell us about your loan and we'll give you a real number, usually within a few hours.
No credit pull required for an initial quote. No obligation.
Mortgage rate FAQ
Why don't you just post today's rate?+
Because there's no such thing as one rate. Two borrowers applying on the same day for the same loan amount can get rates 0.75% apart based on credit, LTV, property type, and occupancy. Posting a single number would either mislead the people who don't qualify for it or undersell the people who qualify for better. We'd rather quote you your actual rate.
How quickly can I get a real quote?+
Usually within a few hours of you submitting your scenario, and almost always within one business day. We price your file across 30+ wholesale investors and send back a written quote with the rate, APR, and itemized closing costs.
What about discount points — should I buy down my rate?+
Sometimes. You can typically buy down your rate by ~0.25% by paying 1 discount point (1% of the loan amount) upfront. Whether it makes sense depends on how long you'll keep the loan — we calculate your break-even before you decide, and show you both options side by side.
What's the difference between rate and APR?+
The rate is the cost of borrowing the money. APR rolls in the lender fees and expresses them as an annualized cost so you can compare loans apples-to-apples. APR is always equal to or higher than the rate. We itemize every fee in writing before you lock — no surprises at closing.
When can I lock my rate?+
On a purchase, once you're under contract on a home. On a refinance, once you submit your application. Lock periods of 15, 30, 45, and 60 days are available, and most programs offer a float-down option if rates improve materially before closing.
Do Colorado rates differ from national rates?+
Base rates are national, but Colorado's high-cost counties (Eagle, Pitkin, San Miguel, Summit, and others) qualify for high-balance conforming pricing — which is typically 0.25–0.5% better than jumbo on loans between the standard conforming limit and the local high-cost limit. That's a real advantage if you're buying in the mountains.
Ready for a real number on your scenario?
We'll price your actual credit, down payment, and Colorado county across 30+ wholesale investors — and send a written quote within one business day.