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News of slowing inflation sent 30-year fixed rates down more than 50 basis points between Thursday and Friday. Rates remain relatively low today. The last time rates were this low was in early October.
On Thursday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released Consumer Price Index data for October, which showed inflation slowed more than expected last month, falling to an annual rate of 7.7%, i.e. 0.5 points less than the September rate.
The CPI release had a big impact: stocks soared, 10-year Treasury yields fell and the likelihood of a smaller 50 basis point hike from the Federal Reserve in December rose to 85.4% from 61.5% last week, according to the CME tool FedWatch.
The slowdown in price growth is good news for mortgage borrowers. The Fed said it is committed to raising the federal funds rate until inflation returns to its target annual rate of 2%, even if that means pushing the economy into recession. Given that inflation finally appears to be responding to central bank efforts, the Fed may be able to ease future rate hikes. This means mortgage rates may not rise any further this year and will likely start falling in 2023.
Today’s Mortgage Rates
| Type of mortgage | Average rate today |
Today’s Refinance Rates
| Type of mortgage | Average rate today |
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Use our free mortgage calculator to see how today’s mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments.
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$1,161
Your estimated monthly payment
- pay one 25% a higher down payment would save you $8,916.08 on interest charges
- Lower the interest rate by 1% would save you $51,562.03
- Pay an extra fee $500 each month would reduce the term of the loan by 146 month
By plugging in different terms and interest rates, you’ll see how your monthly payment might change.
Projection of mortgage rates for 2023
Mortgage rates started to recover from historic lows in the second half of 2021 and have risen more than three percentage points so far in 2022. They will likely remain near current levels for the remainder of 2022.
But many forecasts predict that rates will start falling next year. In their latest forecast, Fannie Mae researchers predicted that rates are currently peaking and that 30-year fixed rates will drop to 6.2% by the end of 2023.
The Mortgage Bankers Association also noted that a recession in the first half of 2023 could cause rates to drop even faster. He currently estimates that there is a 50% chance that a mild recession will materialize next year.
The decline in mortgage rates in 2023 depends on the Federal Reserve’s ability to control inflation.
Over the past 12 months, the consumer price index has increased by 7.7%. This is a slowdown from the previous month’s numbers, meaning the Fed could start to slow its pace of raising the fed funds rate.
As inflation slows, mortgage rates will likely start to come down as well. If the Fed acts too aggressively and engineer a recession, mortgage rates could fall further than currently forecast. But rates are unlikely to fall to the historic lows that borrowers have enjoyed over the past two years.
Should I get a HELOC? Advantages and disadvantages
If you’re looking to tap into the equity in your home, a HELOC might be the best way to do it right now. Unlike a cash-out refinance, you won’t have to get a new mortgage with a new interest rate, and you’ll likely get a better rate than with a home equity loan.
But HELOCs don’t always make sense. It is important to consider the pros and cons.
HELOC Benefits
- Only pay interest on what you borrow
- They usually have lower rates than alternatives, including home equity loans, personal loans and credit cards
- If you have a lot of equity, you could potentially borrow more than you could get with a personal loan.
Against HELOC
- Rates are variable, which means your monthly payments could increase
- Withdrawing equity from your home can be risky if the value of the property drops or you fail to repay the loan
- The minimum withdrawal amount may be more than you wish to borrow
When will real estate prices go down?
House prices are starting to drop, but we probably won’t see huge drops, even in a recession.
The S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index shows prices are still up year-over-year, although they fell on a monthly basis in July and August. Fannie Mae researchers expect prices to fall 1.5% in 2023, while the MBA expects prices to rise 2.8% in 2023 and 2.1% in 2024.
Skyrocketing mortgage rates have pushed many promising buyers out of the market, slowing demand for home purchases and putting downward pressure on home prices. But rates could start falling next year, taking some of that pressure off. The current supply of homes is also historically low, which will likely prevent prices from falling too far.
What happens to house prices in a recession?
House prices generally fall during a recession, but not always. When this happens, it’s usually because fewer people can afford to buy homes and weak demand forces sellers to lower their prices.
How much mortgage can I afford?
A mortgage calculator can help you determine how much you can afford to borrow. Play around with different house prices and down payment amounts to see how much your monthly payment might be, and think about how that fits into your overall budget.
As a general rule, experts recommend spending no more than 28% of your gross monthly income on housing expenses. This means that your total monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, should not exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.
The lower your rate, the more you’ll be able to borrow, so shop around and get pre-approved with multiple mortgage lenders to see who can offer you the best rate. But remember not to borrow more than your budget can comfortably support.
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