US 30-Year Mortgage Rate Falls Slightly

Mortgage rates have dropped for the first time since the conflict in Iran began, offering a bit of relief to the U.S. housing market as the spring homebuying season gets underway. The average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage fell to 6.37% on Thursday, down from 6.46% the previous week and 6.62% in the same period last year. The 10-year Treasury yield, closely tied to mortgage rates, declined following Tuesday’s announcement of a two-week ceasefire. However, analysts caution that the economic fallout from the Iran conflict remains far from resolved.

The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage rose by 8bps from the previous week to 6.46% as of April 2nd, the highest in seven months. The increase was aligned with the sharp increase in long-dated Treasury yields, as Iranian forces continued to attack energy tankers in the Middle East and disrupt oil supply for the global economy. The consequent surge in fuel prices stoked pro-inflationary risks and drove multiple FOMC members to project no rate cuts this year.

The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage rose to 6.38% as of March 26th after trending near its lowest levels of the year in previous weeks according to data from Freddie Mac. The uptick tracked a climb in Treasury yields as investors weighed heightened inflation concerns fueled by the ongoing war in Iran and a pause in interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. “The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.38% this week but remains lower than last year when rates averaged 6.65%. The housing market continues to show gradual improvements compared to a year ago amid recent rate volatility with purchase and refinance applications up year-over-year,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist.