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Your friends with the 2.75% mortgage aren't smarter than you.
They just bought earlier. You can still get that rate, on homes already for sale on Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com.
6 million homes come with an assumable mortgage under 5%. The portals don't label them. RetroRate does.
The housing market isn't broken. The search is.
Over half of U.S. homeowners have a mortgage under 5%. A fifth have one under 3%. When those homes go up for sale, many come with a loan a buyer can legally take over, at the seller's original rate.
It's called an assumable mortgage. FHA and VA loans are assumable, and you don't have to be a veteran to assume a VA loan. About 120,000 of these homes are for sale right now, hiding in plain sight on every major real estate site.
The catch? Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com don't show you which ones they are. RetroRate changes that.
Keep browsing where you already browse.
We show you what Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com miss.
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1 Install in one click
It takes just seconds to add to Chrome, and it's 100% free.
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2 Browse like normal
Open Zillow, Redfin, or Realtor.com. We automatically highlight listings with assumable mortgages as you search.
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3 See the real savings
On every listing with an assumable loan, we show you our derived interest rate, the monthly savings, and the total you'd save over the life of the loan, at the same cash to close.
Works on
See the savings, not just the rate.
See monthly savings, total interest saved, and down payment, calculated instantly against a new loan at today's rates, at the same cash to close. No spreadsheets, and no mental math.
RetroRate gives you an at-a-glance view of how much you can actually afford with an assumable loan.
Find deals you haven't considered.
When you view a home, RetroRate also shows you nearby homes with better rates, expanding your options without expanding your budget.
We're available nationwide, so whether you're searching San Antonio or Palm Beach, RetroRate has you covered.
Questions buyers and sellers ask
What's an assumable loan?
An FHA or VA loan that a buyer can take over at the seller’s original rate, instead of getting a new loan at today’s rate. The buyer is qualified by the original servicer, and once the servicer approves them and issues the release, the seller comes off the loan.
What is a mortgage assumption?
A buyer takes over the seller’s existing mortgage, with its terms, interest rate and balance, instead of getting a new one. The buyer’s name replaces the seller’s, the loan is re-recorded at the county, and once the servicer approves the buyer and issues the release, the seller comes off the loan.
What types of mortgages can be assumed?
FHA and VA loans are generally assumable. Conventional loans usually aren’t, unless the mortgage agreement says so.
Why would a buyer choose a mortgage assumption?
To take over an interest rate nobody can get today. Over half of homeowners in the United States have a mortgage under 5%, and a fifth have one under 3%, so assuming the loan can save hundreds of dollars a month and far more over the life of it. (Rate shares: Mortgage News Daily and Compass, 13 July 2026.)
How does a mortgage assumption differ from getting a new mortgage?
In an assumption the buyer takes over the terms and balance of a loan that already exists. A new mortgage is a new loan, at today’s rates and terms.
Who qualifies for a mortgage assumption?
You have to meet the current VA or FHA requirements. That usually means a credit score of at least 580, though around 620 is preferred, and a debt-to-income ratio under 50%. As with any loan, your package shows income, savings and employment.
A VA loan. You don’t have to be a veteran to assume one, though not every veteran will allow a non-veteran to, because it ties up their entitlement. Investors can sometimes assume a VA loan without living in the home.
An FHA loan. You attest that the home will be your primary residence for the next year, and you’ll likely need to move in within 60 days of completing the assumption.
Does RetroRate approve me for the loan assumption?
No. The lender or servicer holding the mortgage handles qualification and approval, usually working with the VA or FHA. RetroRate takes no part in loan or credit decisions.
What are the costs associated with a mortgage assumption?
An assumption fee set by the lender, closing costs, and a payment to the seller where the home is worth more than the mortgage balance. That last one is usually called the equity gap.
The 3% mortgage era isn't over for you.
It's just hiding in plain sight.
Our calculations compare against today's prevailing rate for a new 30-year loan. Sample assumable calculations shown on RetroRate use interest rates from several years ago. Estimated monthly payments show principal and interest only and don't include taxes and insurance, which will make them higher.
RetroRate does not originate loans, determine or extend credit, or engage in lending or mortgage brokering. The original lender or servicer who holds the mortgage handles qualification and approval of new buyers and makes the final decision to extend credit.
RetroRate is not affiliated with or endorsed by Zillow, Redfin, Compass, or Realtor.com.
The 6 million homes with a mortgage under 5%, and the shares of homeowners under 5% and under 3%, come from Mortgage News Daily and Compass, 13 July 2026.