The rate of interest charged on a mortgage. Mortgage rates are determined by the lender in most cases, and can be either fixed (stay the same for the term of the mortgage) or variable (fluctuate with a benchmark interest rate). Mortgage rates rise and fall with interest rates and can drastically affect the homebuyers' market.
The borrower's credit score can often play a role in the rate charged on a mortgage and the size of mortgage loan they are able to obtain. The rate charged ultimately determines the cost of the mortgage and the amount of the monthly payment.