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July Mortgage Rate Forecast: Buyers Retreat as Rates Rebound

Buyers should keep an eye on the possibility of rate cuts in the next few months. Tharon Green/CNET Every time the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate dips, even by a few tenths of a percentage point, prospective homebuyers jump to take advantage. As soon as rates move up again, mortgage activity goes down. The past few weeks offer a textbook example. When rates fell to around 6.7% (the lowest level in months) in early July, applications for home loans promptly ticked up, according to the Mort

Mortgage Rate Predictions: Here's Why Rates Are Staying High in July

Buyers should keep an eye on the possibility of rate cuts in the next few months. Tharon Green/CNET After the rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage dipped to around 6.7% (its lowest level in months), prospective homebuyers jumped to take advantage. Before the July 4 holiday weekend, mortgage loan applications increased 9.4% week over week, per the Mortgage Bankers Association. Homeowners also seized on refinancing, with refinance activity 56% higher than the same time last year. But the reprieve di

July Mortgage Forecast: Will Interest Rates Budge This Summer?

Buyers should keep an eye on the possibility of rate cuts in the next few months. Tharon Green/CNET The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage was around 6.7% on Monday, down roughly 0.25% from the previous month, according to Bankrate data. Despite the recent decline in rates, forecasts for the housing market have remained unchanged. Mortgage rates, linked to the bond market, have been stuck in limbo between 6.5% and 7% for months. President Trump's on-and-off-again tariffs, stock market sw

Mortgage Predictions for July: Will Rates Continue Falling?

Buyers should keep an eye on the possibility of rate cuts in the next few months. Tharon Green/CNET Mortgage rates are holding near a two-month low, with average 30-year fixed rates having fallen just below 6.7%, according to Bankrate data. After weeks of hovering close to 7%, it's a positive sign in today's unaffordable housing market. But it's unclear how much staying power the recent decline will have. Thursday's Bureau of Labor Statistics job report showed slightly lower unemployment in Ju

Mortgage Rate Predictions: How Tariffs, War and the Fed Are Impacting Rates

Buyers should keep an eye on the possibility of rate cuts in the next few months. Tharon Green/CNET Mortgage market predictions have been clouded by economic uncertainty caused by the Trump administration's trade measures, deficit spending and geopolitical maneuvering. The big question hanging over the housing market is whether rates will rise due to tariff-induced inflation or fall due to a recession. Since early spring, average mortgage rates for 30-year fixed loans have been swinging betwee

Will Mortgage Rates Drop in a Recession? This Realtor Has a Hot Take

Mortgage rates have typically fallen during recessionary periods. Douglas Rissing/Getty Images In today's news cycle, recession headlines come and go. Amid trade war anxieties, stock market roller-coaster rides and global conflict, no one is hoping for a major economic setback -- except recessions have often created more favorable conditions for mortgage rates. Since the beginning of 2025, average 30-year fixed mortgage rates have been stuck in the high 6.5% to 7% range. Most housing experts,

Waiting for Mortgage Rates to Drop in a Recession? This Realtor Has a Hot Take

Mortgage rates have typically fallen during recessionary periods. Douglas Rissing/Getty Images Recession headlines come and go in today's news cycle, which is filled with trade war anxieties, stock market roller-coaster rides and global conflict. No one wants to pin their hopes on a major economic setback. But since recessions have often created more favorable conditions for mortgage rates, many of my clients want to know: Will buying a home become more affordable in a recession? Since the beg

Mortgage Rate Predictions: Will Military Conflict, Tariffs and the Fed Keep Rates High?

Buyers should keep an eye on the possibility of rate cuts in the next few months. Tharon Green/CNET The housing market is hardly immune to political and economic volatility, yet mortgage rates have been eerily calm over the last period. Since the spring, the average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage has moved in a mostly narrow range around 6.8% and 7%. Mortgage rates were expected to gradually improve in 2025. However, the Trump administration's inflationary tariffs, deficit spending and geop

Mortgage Rate Forecast Clouded by War Moves, Tariffs and the Federal Reserve

Buyers should keep an eye on the possibility of rate cuts in the next few months. Tharon Green/CNET The housing market is hardly immune to political and economic volatility, yet mortgage rates have been eerily calm over the last period. Since the spring, the average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage has moved in a mostly narrow range around 6.8% and 7%. Mortgage rates were expected to gradually improve in 2025. However, the Trump administration's inflationary tariffs, deficit spending and geop

Mortgage Rate Predictions: Is This Week the Calm Before the Storm?

Tharon Green/CNET Though the housing market is never immune to political and economic volatility, mortgage rates have been eerily calm. Over the last month, the average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage has moved in a narrow range between 6.8% and 7%. An escalating war in the Middle East could spark fresh volatility across global markets, significantly affecting oil prices and the US dollar. That would have a ripple effect on long-term Treasury yields and mortgage rates. Mortgage rates had be

Fed Rate Cuts Unlikely This Summer. Are Lower Mortgage Rates Still Possible?

The Fed's interest rate decisions impact mortgages, but the relationship isn't straightforward. Tharon Green/CNET There's a wild amount of uncertainty in today's economy, but one thing is clear: The Federal Reserve isn't planning to lower interest rates this summer. Mortgage rates, which have been stuck near 7% for the past several months, are likely to stay higher for longer. On June 18, Fed officials voted to leave borrowing rates unchanged for a fourth consecutive meeting. Holding interest

June Mortgage Forecast: Will Economic Chaos Fuel Even Higher Rates?

As the Federal Reserve likely holds interest rates steady, mortgage rates are expected to stay in a narrow range. Tharon Green/CNET The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady for the fourth consecutive time this year at its monetary policy meeting this week. However, rising jobless claims, intensified geopolitical conflict and slowing economic growth could force the central bank to cut rates as early as the fall. As turbulent trade policies pressure financial markets, investors have been w

Mortgage Rates and the Federal Reserve: Everything to Know Before Today's Decision

The Fed's interest rate decisions impact mortgages, but the relationship isn't straightforward. Tharon Green/CNET Later today, the Federal Reserve is expected to extend a pause on interest rate cuts for a fourth consecutive time this year. While mortgage rates could see some volatility, many economists expect them to stay relatively flat until the economic picture changes. Average rates are likely to stay in the 6.75% to 7.25% range unless the Fed signals multiple cuts and backs up their polic

Mortgage Rates and the Fed: Everything to Know Before Tomorrow's Decision

The Fed's interest rate decisions impact mortgages, but the relationship isn't straightforward. Tharon Green/CNET On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve is expected to extend a pause on interest rate cuts for a fourth consecutive time this year. Though mortgage rates could see some volatility, many economists expect them to stay somewhat flat until the economic picture drastically changes. Rates will stay in the 6.75% to 7.25% range unless the Fed signals multiple cuts soon and backs it up with dat

5% Mortgage Rates Are Real. How Homebuyers Are Making It Happen

Tharon Green/CNET Over the last several years, record-high home prices and high mortgage rates have made homeownership unaffordable. As 30-year fixed mortgage rates remain flat near 7%, homebuyers have been finding creative ways to score rates below what lenders advertise. Last year, nearly half of buyers purchased a home at a rate below 5%, according to Zillow. "With borrowing costs elevated, buyers can take steps to reduce their housing expenses by securing a lower mortgage rate," said Hann

Mortgage Rates and the Fed: Everything to Know Before This Week's Meeting

The Fed's interest rate decisions impact mortgages, but the relationship isn't straightforward. Tharon Green/CNET On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve is expected to extend a pause on interest rate cuts for a fourth consecutive time this year. Though mortgage rates could see some volatility, many economists expect them to stay somewhat flat until the economic picture drastically changes. Rates will stay in the 6.75% to 7.25% range unless the Fed signals multiple cuts soon and backs it up with dat

No Fed Cut, No Rate Break: June Mortgage Forecast Stays Flat

As the Federal Reserve likely holds interest rates steady, mortgage rates are expected to stay in a narrow range. Tharon Green/CNET With each passing day, it seems like average 30-year mortgage rates could remain stuck near 6.8% for the rest of the year. Yet conflicting economic forces could push mortgage rates up or down in the coming months. Housing market experts say the same thing: The direction of mortgage rates depends on the economic impact of policies by the Trump administration and th

Homebuyers Are Scoring 5% Mortgage Rates With These Simple Strategies

Tharon Green/CNET If you're looking to buy a home, you probably know that housing affordability is in the dumps. Record-high prices and high mortgage rates are serving a double whammy to prospective buyers everywhere. But mortgage rates aren't set in stone. Although current rates are hovering near 7%, more borrowers are finding creative ways to snag rates below what lenders advertise. Last year, nearly half of buyers purchased a home at a rate below 5%, according to Zillow. "With borrowing co

Does Next Week's Fed Meeting Matter for Mortgage Rates? Yes and No

When interest rate cuts do come, it won't be a cure-all for today's unaffordable housing market. Saifulasmee Chede/Getty Images/CNET If you followed the Federal Reserve's monetary policy decisions last year, you might have been puzzled: The Fed's three interest rate cuts didn't translate into cheaper mortgages. In fact, the average rate for a 30-year fixed home loan has hovered around 6.8% since late fall. On Wednesday, the central bank is expected to extend a pause on interest rate cuts for a