Articles tagged “mortgage rates”
5 articles
Mortgage Rates at 7.40%: Buy, Wait or Pay for Points?
Freddie Mac's October 15 average is a benchmark, not your quote. Compare affordability, waiting costs and the break-even period for discount points before choosing.
SmartRates Editorial Team
October 18, 2026
Mortgage Rate Locks After the September 2026 Fed Hike: How to Decide
The Fed raised rates in September, while mortgage rates moved on their own path. Use this rate-lock framework and current lender quotes before deciding.
SmartRates Editorial Team
August 21, 2026
AI Mortgage Rate Comparisons Can Be Stale—How to Verify Before You Lock
Use AI to decode a Loan Estimate, not to invent today's rate. Compare same-day written offers by APR, points, lender credits, and cash to close.
SmartRates Editorial Team
August 9, 2026
Mortgage Rates Are Stuck Above 6%: What Buyers and Owners Are Actually Doing in 2026
The 30-year fixed is sitting around 6.5% and economists expect it to stay above 6% for the rest of the year. Here's how to make a smart move now instead of waiting for cuts that may not come.
SmartRates Editorial Team
June 25, 2026
Is Now a Good Time to Buy a House in 2026?
Mortgage rates have cooled from their 2023 peaks, but affordability is still stretched. Here's an honest look at the 2026 housing market and how to decide if you're ready.
SmartRates Editorial Team
June 11, 2026