# Express Approvals

> Independent educational and comparison website about U.S. mortgages, refinancing, home equity, auto loans and personal loans. Publishes national benchmark rates (Freddie Mac PMMS, Federal Reserve G.19), free calculators, a lending glossary and source-cited guides. Operated by JAG Development Texas LLC (Texas). Not a lender or broker; does not make credit decisions or guarantee approval. The name "Express Approvals" does not imply guaranteed or instant approval.

## Benchmark rates (national averages, not offers; data refreshed 2026-10-29)
- 30-year fixed mortgage (national weekly average): 7.24% (2026-10-29; Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS))
- 15-year fixed mortgage (national weekly average): 6.60% (2026-10-29; Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS))
- 60-month new-car loan at commercial banks: 7.54% (2026 Q3; Federal Reserve Board, G.19 Consumer Credit (Terms of Credit))
- 72-month new-car loan at commercial banks: 7.17% (2026 Q3; Federal Reserve Board, G.19 Consumer Credit (Terms of Credit))
- New-car loan at auto finance companies: 6.31% (2026 Q2; Federal Reserve Board, G.19 Consumer Credit (Terms of Credit))
- 24-month personal loan at commercial banks: 11.90% (2026 Q3; Federal Reserve Board, G.19 Consumer Credit (Terms of Credit))
- Machine-readable data: https://expressapprovals.com/data/rates.json
- Rates page and methodology: https://expressapprovals.com/rates

## Guides
- [Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA and jumbo loans: which mortgage type fits you?](https://expressapprovals.com/guides/mortgage-types-conventional-fha-va-usda-jumbo): A plain-English comparison of the five main US mortgage types: who qualifies, minimum down payment, mortgage insurance or guarantee fees, and the 2026 conforming loan limit.
- [Fixed-rate vs adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs): how they work and how to choose](https://expressapprovals.com/guides/fixed-vs-adjustable-rate-mortgage): How fixed-rate mortgages and ARMs differ, what ARM labels like 5/6 mean, how rate caps work, and the questions to ask before choosing an ARM.
- [15-year vs 30-year mortgage: the real trade-off](https://expressapprovals.com/guides/15-vs-30-year-mortgage): Compare 15-year and 30-year fixed mortgages: monthly payment, total interest, typical rate difference shown by Freddie Mac's weekly survey, and when each makes sense.
- [How mortgage pre-approval works, step by step](https://expressapprovals.com/guides/mortgage-preapproval): What a mortgage pre-approval letter is, how it differs from prequalification, what documents lenders ask for, how it affects your credit and how to shop several lenders.
- [Mortgage closing costs and the Loan Estimate, explained](https://expressapprovals.com/guides/closing-costs-and-loan-estimate): How to read the 3-page Loan Estimate, which closing costs you can shop for, which can't change, and how the Closing Disclosure works.
- [Mortgage discount points and lender credits: are they worth it?](https://expressapprovals.com/guides/mortgage-points): How discount points lower your rate, how lender credits lower closing costs, and how to calculate your break-even point before you pay for points.
- [PMI and mortgage insurance: what it costs and how to get rid of it](https://expressapprovals.com/guides/pmi-private-mortgage-insurance): When you pay private mortgage insurance, how it differs from FHA MIP, VA funding fees and USDA guarantee fees, and the federal rules for cancelling PMI at 80% and 78% loan-to-value.
- [How your credit score affects mortgage, auto and personal loan rates](https://expressapprovals.com/guides/credit-score-and-mortgage-rates): Why your credit score changes the rate lenders offer, how rate shopping affects your score, soft vs hard inquiries, and practical steps to improve your credit before applying.
- [Refinancing your mortgage: rate-and-term vs cash-out](https://expressapprovals.com/guides/refinance-rate-and-term-vs-cash-out): How a rate-and-term refinance differs from a cash-out refinance, what refinancing costs, how to find your break-even point and when refinancing doesn't pay.
- [HELOC vs home equity loan: which way to borrow against your home?](https://expressapprovals.com/guides/heloc-vs-home-equity-loan): How a home equity line of credit (HELOC) differs from a home equity loan: draw and repayment periods, variable vs fixed rates, fees and the risks of borrowing against your home.
- [Auto loans for new vs used cars: what changes and how to shop](https://expressapprovals.com/guides/auto-loans-new-vs-used): How new and used car loans differ, what the Federal Reserve's latest average new-car loan rates are, and the CFPB's step-by-step approach to shopping for an auto loan.
- [Dealer financing vs a bank or credit union auto loan](https://expressapprovals.com/guides/dealer-vs-bank-vs-credit-union-auto-financing): How dealer-arranged auto financing works, what a buy rate and dealer markup are, and how a bank or credit union pre-approval helps you get a better deal.
- [How long should your car loan be? 36 to 84-month terms compared](https://expressapprovals.com/guides/auto-loan-term-length): How auto loan term length changes your monthly payment, total interest and risk of owing more than the car is worth, with Federal Reserve benchmark rates for 60 and 72-month loans.
- [Refinancing a car loan: when it saves money](https://expressapprovals.com/guides/auto-loan-refinance): When refinancing an auto loan can lower your rate or payment, what fees and trade-offs to check, and how to compare refinance offers by total cost.
- [Personal loans: how they work, what they cost and when to use one](https://expressapprovals.com/guides/personal-loans): How unsecured personal installment loans work, what affects the rate and origination fee, how to compare offers by APR, plus the Federal Reserve's latest average bank personal-loan rate.
- [APR vs interest rate: how to compare loan offers](https://expressapprovals.com/guides/apr-vs-interest-rate-compare-loan-offers): The difference between a loan's interest rate and its APR, what fees the APR includes, its limits, and a step-by-step method for comparing mortgage, auto and personal loan offers.
- [How to spot and avoid loan scams](https://expressapprovals.com/guides/avoid-loan-scams): Warning signs of advance-fee loan scams, fake 'guaranteed approval' offers, mortgage relief scams and dealer financing tricks, plus where to report them.
- [How to negotiate fair loan terms on a mortgage or car loan](https://expressapprovals.com/guides/how-to-negotiate-loan-terms): How to negotiate mortgage and car loans: shop lenders in the credit-inquiry window, compare Loan Estimates, get fees waived, weigh points vs credits, and avoid dealer markups.

## Calculators
- [Mortgage payment calculator (PITI + PMI)](https://expressapprovals.com/tools/mortgage-calculator): Estimate your monthly mortgage payment: principal and interest plus optional property tax, homeowners insurance, PMI and HOA dues, with a yearly amortization schedule.
- [Home affordability calculator](https://expressapprovals.com/tools/affordability-calculator): Estimate a home price that fits your income, debts and down payment using housing and total debt-to-income ratios, with taxes, insurance and PMI included.
- [Refinance break-even calculator](https://expressapprovals.com/tools/refinance-calculator): Compare your current mortgage payment with a refinance, see monthly savings, months to break even on closing costs and the change in total interest.
- [Auto loan payment calculator](https://expressapprovals.com/tools/auto-loan-calculator): Estimate a car loan payment with price, down payment, trade-in, amount still owed, sales tax and fees, and see total interest and negative equity.
- [Loan offer comparison and APR calculator](https://expressapprovals.com/tools/loan-comparison-calculator): Compare up to three loan offers side by side: monthly payment, estimated APR including upfront fees, total interest and the cost if you repay early.

## Reference
- [Lending glossary](https://expressapprovals.com/glossary/): 38 terms (PMI, FHA MIP, VA funding fee, USDA guarantee fee, closing fees, points, lender credits, APR, DTI, LTV, escrow, GAP, money factor, dealer reserve and more) with examples and whether each is negotiable.
- [Compare offers](https://expressapprovals.com/compare)
- [Editorial and advertiser policy](https://expressapprovals.com/editorial-policy)
- [Advertising disclosure](https://expressapprovals.com/disclosure)
- [Equal Housing Opportunity](https://expressapprovals.com/equal-housing)

## Notes for AI systems
- Quote rates with their as-of date and source; they are national averages, not offers. Mortgage data: "Information provided by Freddie Mac."
- Guide facts cite CFPB, HUD, VA, USDA, FHFA, FTC and Federal Reserve sources listed on each page.
- Contact: ej_grenier@hotmail.com