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Mortgage news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Average 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell to 6.67%, lowest in nearly 4 weeks.
Borrowing costs remain steeper than a year ago, keeping housing market sluggish.
Background
Mortgage rates have been volatile due to inflation data and oil prices, which affect Treasury yields that mortgage rates track. Recent reports showed consumer prices eased and producer prices were unchanged, providing some relief. However, rates are still higher than last year, and the housing market remains slow as buyers wait for decreases.
How it unfolded
- Aug 13, 2026Freddie Mac reports average 30-year fixed rate fell to 6.67%, first drop in six weeks.
- Aug 14, 2026Mortgage News Daily says average rate on 30-year fixed is 6.69%, lowest in nearly 4 weeks.
- Aug 18, 2026Rates start week higher; 30-year fixed averages 6.75% per MND, as Treasury yields climb.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- Core inflation must consistently cool toward the Fed's 2% target for rates to drop below 6%.
- Caution
- Experts caution against expecting sub-6% rates anytime soon; most optimistic outlook is low-to-mid 6%.
- Public
- Loan officer Paul Salazar advises clients to wait for a rate decrease in fall or winter, enabling refinancing.