US Mortgage Rates Fall Last Week: MBA

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate for loans of up to $806,500 in the US edged down 4bps to 6.77% in the week ended August 7, 2026, from 6.81% in the previous week, which marked the highest level in a year, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. The decline tracked lower Treasury yields after a weaker-than-expected jobs report reduced expectations for an imminent Fed rate hike. Mortgage applications increased 3.6%, marking the first rise in three weeks, with applications to purchase a home up 2.5% and those to refinance a home loan rising 5%.

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate for loans of up to $806,500 in the US increased by 5bps to 6.81% in the week ended July 31st 2026, reaching the highest level in a year, after soaring by 7bps in the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. The rise tracked higher Treasury yields, while renewed hostilities in the Middle East pushed oil prices higher, raising inflation concerns. Meanwhile, mortgage applications decreased 2.9%, extending a 6.4% drop in the previous week. Applications to purchase a home slumped 3.6% and those to refinance a home loan dropped 1.9%, after decreases of 3.6% and 9.9% respectively in the previous week.

The average contract rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage in the US climbed 7 basis points to 6.76% in the week ending July 24, 2026, marking its highest level since August 2025, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. The increase tracked a rise in Treasury yields as persistent inflation concerns continued to pressure bond markets, reducing expectations for lower borrowing costs in the near term. Mortgage rates have climbed nearly 70 basis points since the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran in late February, as higher oil prices fueled inflation fears. While energy prices eased in June, renewed hostilities have revived expectations that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates higher for longer. Higher borrowing costs continued to weigh on housing demand. Total mortgage applications fell 6.4% from the previous week, with purchase applications declining 3.6% and refinancing activity dropping 9.9%.