Remove Banks Remove Fixed-rate mortgage Remove Sales
article thumbnail

Trapped by design: Why America’s housing market is stuck — and what the rest of the world can teach us

Housing Wire

Existing home sales have hit multi-decade lows. Banks and credit unionsmany of which depend on mortgage activity to fuel lending, gather deposits, and generate fee incomeare facing an extended drought. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is a cornerstone of American housing finance, but it wasnt built for flexibility.

article thumbnail

30-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage Dives to See Largest Drop Since March 2025

Marco Santarelli

Well, there's some good news: Mortgage rates are dropping! The average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has fallen to 6.67% , the biggest drop we’ve seen since March of this year. According to Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey, the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is down 0.1

Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

Mortgage Rates Rise Ending Last Week of 2024 at 6.85%

Marco Santarelli

Sam Khater, Chief Economist at Freddie Mac, notes that while new and existing home sales show some improvement, the overall economic landscape, compounded by tighter monetary policies, is steering rates upward. 15-Year Mortgages: Rates for 15-year fixed mortgages have also climbed to 6% , an increase from 5.92%.

article thumbnail

Today’s Mortgage Rates April 1, 2025: Rates Drop to Begin the New Month

Marco Santarelli

For the benchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgage , we're looking at an average of 6.55%. Now, four basis points might sound small, but in the world of mortgages, every little bit counts. Now, four basis points might sound small, but in the world of mortgages, every little bit counts. Let's dive into the specifics.

article thumbnail

Today’s Mortgage Rates – May 27, 2025: Rates Are Largely Stable Lingering Below 7%

Marco Santarelli

For instance, while a 15-year loan will result in a higher monthly payment, overall interest payments are dramatically lower than they would be with a 30-year mortgage. Fixed-Rate vs. Adjustable-Rate Mortgages In the mortgage world, borrowers often face a choice between fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs).

article thumbnail

Why Are Mortgage Rates So High and Predictions for 2025

Marco Santarelli

Understanding Mortgage Rates To understand why mortgage rates are so high, it's essential to understand how they are set. If banks are paying higher interest rates, they will likely charge higher rates to mortgage borrowers.

article thumbnail

When Will the Soaring Mortgage Rates Finally Go Down in 2025?

Marco Santarelli

Keeping an eye on these factors can give you a better sense of where rates might be headed. The Federal Reserve (The Fed): This is the central bank of the United States, and it plays a major role. The Fed sets the federal funds rate, which is the rate banks charge each other for overnight lending.