Mortgage Rate Outlook for 2026: Modest Declines Expected Amid Economic Uncertainty
Forecasts for 2026 mortgage rates suggest only incremental easing, with most projections hovering in the low 6% range. The Federal Reserve's potential rate cuts may not translate directly to lower mortgage rates, as broader market forces—including inflation dynamics and bond market movements—play a decisive role.
Homebuyers face a complex calculus: timing the market matters less than personal financial readiness. Six leading institutions—Fannie Mae, the Mortgage Bankers Association, and Wells Fargo among them—agree on a stable but elevated rate environment through 2026, underscoring the housing market's resilience to monetary policy shifts.