Mortgage Rates Hold Steady | Today, October 6, 2026

Today’s mortgage rates

Mortgage rates are mixed today, with 30-year fixed rates pushing past 7.5% at some lenders while fewer borrowers expect them to climb further this month. The 10-year Treasury yield barely budged overnight, holding above 5.27%, as stocks rallied modestly across the board. Four Fed officials speak today, including New York Fed President John Williams and Governor Michelle Bowman, so rate-watchers should expect some volatility if anyone hints at the central bank’s next move.

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 7.517%.

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 6.795%.

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 6.498%.

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 ended in March, 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 increased to 5.275% from 5.271% (Bad for mortgage rates). Mortgage rates often follow these Treasury bond yields.
• Major stock indexes rose this morning. (Bad 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 $89.53 from $90.34 a barrel. (Good for mortgage rates.*)
• Gold prices decreased to $4,183.0 from $4,183.80 an ounce. (Bad for mortgage rates.*)
• CNN Business Fear & Greed Index increased to 48.5 from 38.3 out of 100. (Bad for mortgage rates.) “Neutral” 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

Mortgage rates are climbing, with some lenders quoting north of 7.7% this week. The 30-year fixed hit 7.28% on Freddie Mac’s latest survey, up a quarter point from the week prior. The 10-year Treasury barely budged, ticking to 5.275% from 5.271%, but rate sheets across the industry tell a more painful story for house hunters.

One economic report came out Monday, with a packed schedule ahead. The ISM Services Index dropped at 10:00 AM ET to kick things off.

Tuesday is a Fed speaker marathon. New York Fed President John Williams goes on at 9:05 AM ET, followed by Governor Michelle Bowman at 10:45 AM ET, Kansas City’s Jeffrey Schmid at 1:15 PM ET, and Dallas Fed President Lorie Logan at 7:00 PM ET. Four Fed voices in one day gives markets plenty to chew on.

Wednesday is the big one. MBA Mortgage Applications hit at 7:00 AM ET, the EIA Petroleum Status Report at 10:30 AM ET, and then the FOMC Minutes from the last meeting drop at 2:00 PM ET. Investors will be reading those tea leaves for any shift in the committee’s thinking on rate cuts. Consumer Credit follows at 3:00 PM ET.

Thursday stays busy. Governor Christopher Waller speaks early at 4:30 AM ET. Initial jobless claims come at 8:30 AM ET. The EIA Natural Gas Report lands at 10:30 AM ET, Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari goes on at 10:40 AM ET, and St. Louis Fed President Alberto Musalem speaks at 1:40 PM ET. The Fed Balance Sheet posts at 4:30 PM ET.

Friday wraps with the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment reading at 10:00 AM ET.

Stocks had a decent week prior, with the Dow up 0.54%, the S&P 500 up 0.68%, and the NASDAQ gaining 0.59%. Oil dipped to $89.53 and gold pulled back to $4,183. The Fear and Greed Index sits at 48.5, dead neutral.

With rates where they are, the FOMC Minutes on Wednesday could set the tone for whether borrowers get any relief down the road, or whether the current squeeze has more room to run.

Recent trends

Freddie Mac’s October 6 report put the weekly 30-year fixed mortgage rate average at 7.28%. 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.