30-Year Mortgage Rates Rise to 6.11%, Boosting Housing Activity
Event summary
- Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey shows the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.11% as of March 12, 2026, up from 6.00% last week.
- The 15-year FRM averaged 5.50%, up from 5.43% last week.
- Existing-home sales increased 1.7% in February, with purchase applications also rising this week.
- Mortgage rates are down more than half a percentage point compared to the same time last year.
The big picture
The modest rise in mortgage rates coincides with a pickup in housing activity, suggesting that buyers are adapting to the current rate environment. This trend could indicate a stabilizing housing market, though sustained rate increases may test affordability thresholds. Freddie Mac's data highlights the delicate balance between rate sensitivity and buyer resilience as the spring homebuying season progresses.
What we're watching
- Rate Sensitivity
- How sustained rate increases will affect homebuyer demand during the spring season.
- Market Momentum
- Whether the uptick in purchase applications signals a broader recovery in housing activity.
- Economic Indicators
- The pace at which macroeconomic factors, such as inflation and employment, influence mortgage rate trends.
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