"The mortgage market is off to a strong start in 2026. Mortgage rates declining to levels not seen since September 2024 have boosted borrower demand, with both refinance and purchase applications up solidly on both a weekly and an annual basis, said Bob Broeksmit, president and CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). With the spring homebuying season approaching, lower mortgage rates would be a welcome development for households looking to buy a home."
"After the Federal Reserve cut rates for a third straight time in December, monetary policymakers indicated less willingness to cut in the near future. Little has changed in the past six weeks, and interest rate traders are nearly unanimous that the central bank will hold the federal funds rate at a range of 3.5% to 3.75% on Wednesday, according to the CME Group's FedWatch tool."
President Donald Trump proposed housing measures including restrictions on large institutional investors' U.S. homebuying activity and a $200 billion purchase of mortgage-backed securities by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, while publicly stepping back from a reported plan to permit tax-free 401(k) withdrawals for down payments. The proposals aim to increase housing supply and lower mortgage rates to improve affordability. Mortgage rates have fallen to levels not seen since September 2024, lifting refinance and purchase applications. After three Fed cuts ending in December, policymakers signaled reduced appetite for further easing and markets expect the federal funds rate to remain at 3.5%–3.75%.
Read at www.housingwire.com
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