Mortgage interest rate forecast for 2026: Rates may finally fall below 6%
Bankrate senior industry analyst Ted Rossman shares his take on what will happen to mortgage rates in 2026.
4 min read
Jan 06, 2026
Jeff Ostrowski
Writer and Housing Market Analyst
EXPERTISE
- Mortgages
- Mortgage refinancing
- Mortgage rate trends
- Housing market
- Real estate
EDUCATION
- Bachelor of Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Master of Arts, University of Illinois at Springfield
- Continuing coursework, including NMLS Mortgage Loan Originator education and MLO SAFE Test
About the author
Jeff Ostrowski has closely covered two nationwide housing booms and one devastating bust. Before joining Bankrate in 2020, he spent more than 20 years writing about real estate, business, the economy and politics. He previously worked as a reporter at the Palm Beach Post and the South Florida Business Journal.
From 2019 through 2025, Jeff served on the board of the nonprofit National Association of Real Estate Editors. He twice has won gold awards in the group’s journalism contest. His Bankrate coverage of housing affordability was also honored with a Best in Business award from the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing.
When he’s not working, Jeff enjoys surfing, biking and traveling, usually with a surfboard or bike.
Jeff is the author of How to Buy a Home in a Miserable Market, available in paperback and e-book on Amazon.
Jeff beyond Bankrate
Jeff wants you to know
When you’re applying for a mortgage, shop around and do your homework — informed borrowers can save thousands of dollars over the life of their loan. Don’t fixate on finding the absolute perfect option, though, or timing your loan to a low point for mortgage rates. If you’re borrowing now, mortgage rates could go down in the future. Avoid worrying about all those things that are both out of your control and impossible to predict.
Jeff's latest articles
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Mortgage rates hold steady after Fed rate cut
Mortgage rates held steady following the final Fed cut of the year.
2 min read Dec 23, 2025 -
Mortgage rates dip back down following Fed cut
Mortgage rates fell a bit this week following the final Fed cut of the year.
2 min read Dec 17, 2025 -
There’s still a nationwide shortage of homes — so why are sellers getting desperate in some places?
There’s a national housing shortage, yet buyers are in control in many markets. Here’s how to think about the housing supply in the U.S.
5 min read Dec 15, 2025 -
Mortgage rates rise despite Fed cut
Mortgage rates rose this week despite a third consecutive Fed cut.
2 min read Dec 10, 2025 -
Mortgage rates retreat as markets hope for Fed cut
Mortgage rates dropped a bit lower this week in anticipation of another Fed cut.
3 min read Dec 03, 2025 -
Conforming loan limits in 2026
For much of the U.S., the divide between conforming loans and jumbo mortgages will be $832,750.
2 min read Dec 02, 2025 -
Mortgage rates retreat slightly this week
Mortgage rates dropped a bit lower this week.
2 min read Nov 25, 2025
