Mortgage rates surge upward amid Iran conflict

After a week in which the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate fell below 6 percent for the first time in more than three years, rates reversed, hitting 6.15 percent on Tuesday in response to overseas conflict. Continue reading

Lower mortgage rates spur homebuyers, but mostly refis

Rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages hit another 2025 low on Tuesday, dropping to 6.12 percent, nearly a full percentage point lower than January. Rates now have less room to come down. Continue reading

Mortgage rates just hit a new 2025 low. They might be stuck there.

MBA forecasts rates will probably stay right where they are now in 2026, as investors have already priced in future Fed rate cuts. But look for three years of steady growth in home sales ahead. Continue reading

Mortgage rates ebb as Powell hints at end of ‘quantitative tightening’

Fed chair dismisses suggestion that central bank could resume its purchases of mortgage-backed securities to bring down mortgage rates and improve housing affordability. Continue reading

Democrats seek transparency into Fannie, Freddie ‘reprivatization’

The Trump administration has assured industry groups that a stable housing finance system and low mortgage rates are a “North Star” in plans for a secondary offering, but Dems complain they’ve been shut out of process. Continue reading

Should they stay or go (down) now? Forecasters are split on where mortgage rates will be in 2026

In predicting that mortgage rates will drop below 6 percent next year, economists at Fannie Mae are more optimistic about growth and less worried about inflation than their colleagues at the Mortgage Bankers Association. Continue reading

Construction labor market facing ‘alarming deterioration’

A deteriorating labor market could include a silver lining for real estate as mortgage rates continue to slide and runway appears open for rate cut by the Federal Reserve later this month. Continue reading

‘Is it cheaper to rent or buy today?’ How to answer that question

Find out how to help potential homebuyers navigate the market, Bernice Ross writes, while dispelling myths that might be keeping them from moving forward. Continue reading

Homebuyers take a breather as mortgage rates continue to fall

Purchase loan demand eased last week, but rates are expected to keep falling on a new report showing there are more people unemployed than there are job openings for the first time since the pandemic. Continue reading

Homebuyers are out in force and mortgage rates are coming down

With 7.24 million Americans out of work in July and payroll growth slowing, the Fed is expected to pivot from fighting inflation to preserving jobs. Continue reading