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4 days ago | 
cnet.com | Katherine Watt |Laura Michelle Davis
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.
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1 week ago | 
cnet.com | Katherine Watt
For the vast majority of homeowners, there's currently little financial incentive to refinance their mortgages. So far in 2025, average mortgage rates have remained elevated, consistently hovering between 6.5% and 7% due to ongoing economic uncertainty. "If rates fall below 6%, we could see a big jump in refinance activity," said Jeb Smith, licensed real estate agent and member of CNET Money's expert review board.
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1 week ago | 
cnet.com | Katherine Watt
Check out CNET Money's weekly mortgage rate forecast for a more in-depth look at what’s next for Fed rate cuts, labor data and inflation. Average 30-year fixed mortgage rates have remained close to 7% for the last seven months, keeping prospective homebuyers on the sidelines. For a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, the average rate you'll pay is 6.87% today, down -0.04% from seven days ago. The average rate for a 15-year fixed mortgage is 6.06%, which is a decrease of -0.05% since last week.
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1 week ago | 
cnet.com | Katherine Watt
For the vast majority of homeowners, there's currently little financial incentive to refinance their mortgages. So far in 2025, average mortgage rates have remained elevated, consistently hovering between 6.5% and 7% due to ongoing economic uncertainty. "If rates fall below 6%, we could see a big jump in refinance activity," said Jeb Smith, licensed real estate agent and member of CNET Money's expert review board.
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1 week ago | 
cnet.com | Katherine Watt
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.
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1 week ago | 
cnet.com | Katherine Watt |Laura Michelle Davis
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 wondering how President Donald Trump would influence the Fed's interest rate forecast.
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1 week ago | 
cnet.com | Katherine Watt
Check out CNET Money's weekly mortgage rate forecast for a more in-depth look at what’s next for Fed rate cuts, labor data and inflation. Even though experts predict mortgage rates will slowly go down, buying a home is still too expensive for most people. The average 30-year fixed rate has remained close to 7% for the last seven months, leading to cost-prohibitive monthly payments. The average for a 30-year fixed mortgage is 6.86% today, down -0.02% from seven days ago.
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1 week ago | 
cnet.com | Katherine Watt
Average mortgage refinance rates have been volleying between 6.5% and 7% as fears of both higher inflation and an economic slowdown play tug-of-war with financial markets. Overall, rates are too high for most homeowners to save money from refinancing. After three interest rate cuts last year, the Federal Reserve has left rates unchanged in 2025 to assess the economic fallout from President Trump's policies on trade, immigration and government spending.
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1 week ago | 
cnet.com | Katherine Watt
Average mortgage refinance rates have been volleying between 6.5% and 7% as fears of both higher inflation and an economic slowdown play tug-of-war with financial markets. Overall, rates are too high for most homeowners to save money from refinancing. After three interest rate cuts last year, the Federal Reserve has left rates unchanged in 2025 to assess the economic fallout from President Trump's policies on trade, immigration and government spending.
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1 week ago | 
cnet.com | Katherine Watt
Check out CNET Money's weekly mortgage rate forecast for a more in-depth look at what’s next for Fed rate cuts, labor data and inflation. Despite forecasts of gradually falling mortgage rates, the housing market remains largely unaffordable for most prospective buyers. The average 30-year fixed rate has remained close to 7% for the last seven months, leading to cost-prohibitive monthly payments.
