Mortgage Rates Hover at Elevated Levels Amid Fed Hike Headlines | Today, September 17, 2026

Today’s mortgage rates

Mortgage rates remain elevated on Sept. 17, 2026, according to today’s news headlines, which also report the Federal Reserve’s first interest-rate hike since 2023. Another headline reports that fixed mortgage and refinance rates ticked upward.

The 10-year Treasury yield, by contrast, came in at 4.951%, down 2.8 basis points, or 0.028 percentage points, from 4.979%, according to yfinance. Today’s economic calendar also lists Housing Starts and Permits and Jobless Claims, both dated Sept. 17 at 8:30 a.m. ET, according to Econoday. For borrowers, the modest Treasury decline alone does not establish that lower mortgage quotes are available.

Although rates have elevated from recent lows, see if refinancing makes sense or tapping home equity is prudent. For home buyers, explore expert advice for 2026 and check if you qualify for financial assistance programs or more flexible loan options.

Current mortgage and refinance rates

>Related: 7 Tips to get the best refinance rate

30-year fixed rate mortgage

At the time this was published, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate reached 7.063%.

The average 30-year fixed rate mortgage (FRM) hit a record weekly low of 2.65% on Jan. 7, 2021, and a record weekly high of 8.89% on Dec. 16, 1994, according to Freddie Mac.

A 30-year FRM gives borrowers an affordable option but you pay more interest over the life of the loan compared to shorter mortgages.

15-year fixed rate mortgage

Today, the average 15-year fixed mortgage rate went to 6.386%.

The average 15-year FRM hit a record weekly low of 2.1% on July 29, 2021, and a record weekly high of 18.63% on Sep. 10, 1981, according to Freddie Mac.

The 15-year FRM offers borrowers a briefer term with less accrued interest, but the monthly payments will be much higher.

5/1 adjustable-rate mortgage

This morning’s 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage averaged 6.013%.

Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) typically have lower initial interest rates compared to fixed loans. Once that initial period ends, the interest rate adjusts to the current market conditions. In this case, the initial period is five years and the adjustments are up to once every year. Homeowners with shorter term lending plans tend to see these as advantageous.

What experts are expecting

Ralph DiBugnara, president at Home Qualified

“I expect rates to stay in a relatively similar range as where they are now, likely hovering in the low-to-mid 6% range. Current global uncertainty and inflation data will keep volatility in play. Also any rate cuts at all by the Fed may be in jeopardy now so that will keep markets frozen some. Unless we get a clear cooling signal from the Fed, don’t expect a drop. The 30-year fixed should average around 6.25% with the 15 year fixed at 5.875%“

Any specific rate figures above reflect this expert’s personal opinion and forecast. They are illustrative only, are not an offer or commitment to lend, and are not an advertised rate. Your actual rate and APR depend on your credit, loan amount, down payment, property and other factors, and will vary by lender.

Market data affecting today’s mortgage rates

Here’s a snapshot of the state of play as this article was published. The data mostly compares to roughly the same time the business day before, so much of the movement will often have happened in the previous session.

• The yield on 10-year Treasury notes decreased to 4.951% from 4.979% (Good for mortgage rates). Mortgage rates often follow these Treasury bond yields.
• Major stock indexes dropped this morning. (Good for mortgage rates.) When investors sell shares and move into bonds, bond purchases can push prices up and yields down, potentially easing mortgage rates.
• Oil prices decreased to $99.38 from $103.88 a barrel. (Good for mortgage rates.*)
• Gold prices increased to $4,404.5 from $4,380.70 an ounce. (Good for mortgage rates.*)
• CNN Business Fear & Greed Index decreased to 26.1 from 27.7 out of 100. (Good for mortgage rates.) “Fear” suggests investors are seeking safety, supporting bond prices.

*A movement of less than $20 on gold prices or 40 cents on oil prices is a change of 1% or less. So we only count meaningful differences as good or bad for mortgage rates.

Caveats about markets and rates

Before the pandemic, post-pandemic upheavals, and war in Ukraine, you could look at the above figures and make a pretty good guess about what would happen to mortgage rates that day. But that’s no longer the case. We still make daily calls. And are usually right. But our record for accuracy won’t achieve its former high levels until things settle down.

So, use markets only as a rough guide. Because they have to be exceptionally strong or weak for us to rely on them. But, with that caveat, mortgage rates today might nudge upward or barely budge. However, be aware that “intraday swings” (when rates change speed or direction during the day) are a common feature right now.

What’s driving mortgage rates today?

This week

This week

Mortgage borrowers face elevated rates Thursday, Sept. 17, as news headlines report a Federal Reserve rate hike and higher fixed mortgage rates. Freddie Mac’s 30-year average stands at 6.76%, according to FRED. The 10-year Treasury yield slipped to 4.951% from 4.979%, according to yfinance, but that modest decline does not confirm that lenders’ mortgage quotes are falling. The Fed does not set mortgage rates directly.

Wednesday’s calendar started with MBA Mortgage Applications at 7 a.m. Eastern, followed by Retail Sales at 8:30 a.m. Applications offer a read on borrowing demand; retail sales help investors gauge whether consumer spending could keep inflation and interest rates elevated. The EIA Petroleum Status Report followed at 10:30 a.m. Oil supplies matter because energy costs can feed inflation. WTI crude fell $4.50 to $99.38 a barrel, according to yfinance, though the packet provides no basis to tie that move to the report.

Thursday brings Housing Starts and Permits and Jobless Claims, both scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Eastern. The housing report measures construction activity and the pipeline for new supply, while claims provide a timely check on layoffs. Stronger activity or fewer claims could put upward pressure on bond yields; weaker readings could support lower yields. Neither report’s results are available in the supplied calendar.

Thursday’s EIA Natural Gas Report is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Eastern, adding another check on energy supplies. The broader market backdrop is cautious: the Dow fell 1.21%, the S&P 500 lost 0.45% and the Nasdaq slipped 0.01%, according to yfinance. For borrowers, the key distinction remains between a small Treasury rally and an actual improvement in mortgage pricing. Today’s supplied data establish the former, not the latter.

Recent trends

Freddie Mac’s September 17 report put the weekly 30-year fixed mortgage rate average at 6.76%. Freddie’s data serves as a market barometer and trend tracker, but individual rates vary by lender and depend on personal financial profiles.

Expert forecasts for mortgage rates

Looking further ahead, Fannie Mae and the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) each has a team of economists dedicated to monitoring and forecasting what will happen to the economy, the housing sector and mortgage rates.

Here are their quarterly rate forecasts for the next year.

The numbers in the table below are for 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages. Fannie updated its forecast on March 10 and the MBA updated theirs on March 23.

Of course, given so many unknowables, these forecasts might be even more speculative than usual. And their past record for accuracy — due to the volatile nature of interest rates — hasn’t been wildly impressive.

Mortgage rate methodology

The Mortgage Reports receives rates based on selected criteria from multiple lending partners each day. We arrive at an average rate and APR for each loan type to display in our chart. Because we average an array of rates, it gives you a better idea of what you might find in the marketplace. Furthermore, we average rates for the same loan types. For example, FHA fixed with FHA fixed. The end result is a good snapshot of daily rates and how they change over time.

Current mortgage rates methodology

We receive current mortgage rates each day from a network of mortgage lenders that offer home purchase and refinance loans. Those mortgage rates shown here are based on sample borrower profiles that vary by loan type. See our full loan assumptions here.

🏠 Equal Housing Lender. The Mortgage Reports, NMLS #1019791. Verify our licensing at NMLS Consumer Access. We do business in accordance with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and federal Fair Housing laws. This article is for editorial and informational purposes only and is not an offer or commitment to lend; rates and terms are illustrative and subject to change without notice.