Mortgage Rates Top 7% for the First Time in More Than 2 Years
Updated on: September 23, 2026 / 10:28 AM EDT / CBS News
TL;DR
- The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage reached 7.12% in the week ending September 18, its highest point since May 2024.
- Higher mortgage rates increase borrowing costs for buyers amid near-record housing prices.
- More buyers are choosing adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) due to their lower initial rates compared to fixed-rate mortgages.
- The 10-year Treasury yield, which influences fixed mortgage rates, has spiked due to inflation and government debt concerns.
- The Federal Reserve's recent quarter-percentage-point interest rate hike is also a factor in rising mortgage rates.
- Elevated and volatile rates could further slow down the housing market by challenging affordability.