The housing market faces dual pressure as fewer Americans apply for mortgages while lenders reduce loan programs and increase documentation requirements.

While homebuyers should not expect a drastic reduction in mortgage rates in the near term, rates could continue to fall through 2026. Fannie Mae predicts that mortgage rates will start off 2026 at 6.2% and drop to 5.9% by the end of the year. On the other hand, the Mortgage Bankers Association sees mortgage rates holding steady at 6.4% this year.

Explore current mortgage rates and what they mean for homebuyers.

Mortgage applications decreased by 1.8% last week, with FHA refinance applications rising 12% due to favorable rates. Despite a decline in conventional and VA applications, FHA's strong performance highlights shifting trends in the mortgage market.

Freddie Mac’s latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) shows the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) fell to 6.15% this week.  “After sta

The move could save FHA borrowers about $181 on monthly payments, says BAC Co-founder and Chief Advocacy Officer Brendan McKay Introduced Sept. 19, 2025, by Reps. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) and Pete Sessions (R-Texas), the Mortgage Insurance Freedom Act would ...

Mortgage rates for 30-year conforming loans have fallen to 6.33%, with jumbo and FHA loans also seeing declines. Fannie Mae forecasts rates to reach 5.9% by the end of 2026, while the Fed is expected to implement additional rate cuts in October and December.