Can mortgage rates fall without another Fed rate cut? Here's what experts think
Mortgage rates have changed a lot over the past year, and were especially volatile from late 2025 through the first half of 2026. The average 30-year fixed rate dropped to 5.98% in late February 2026 before climbing back to 6.53% by the end of May.
Reported by 1 outlet — CBS News. See all sources ↓
Mortgage rates have changed a lot over the past year, and were especially volatile from late 2025 through the first half of 2026. The average 30-year fixed rate dropped to 5.98% in late February 2026 before climbing back to 6.53% by the end of May. And, mortgage rates are now sitting at about 6.5% as of mid-July. If you're hoping to see those rates fall further, you might assume that a potential drop in rates depends heavily on what the Federal Reserve does next.
Read the full report at CBS News ↗
Why it matters
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- What's the story?
- Mortgage rates have changed a lot over the past year, and were especially volatile from late 2025 through the first half of 2026. The average 30-year fixed rate dropped to 5.98% in late February 2026 before climbing back to 6.53% by the end of May.
- How widely is it covered?
- 1 outlet, average source rating 8.0/10.
- When was it last updated?
- 9m ago.
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Can mortgage rates fall without another Fed rate cut? Here's what experts think
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