Mortgage rates tend to fluctuate day by day. So if you’re planning to buy a home, it’s a good idea to keep a close watch on interest rates and weigh various mortgage options. One common type of mortgage is a conventional loan with a 15-year fixed interest rate.

Since rates vary widely across lenders, it's always smart to shop around for your best mortgage rate and compare rates regularly, no matter the type of home loan you seek. Rates on new 30-year mortgages were flat Thursday,