Here are some key takeaways from housing and mortgage experts:

•  Greg McBride, Chief Financial Analyst at Bankrate, sees mortgage rates ranging between 6.5% and 7% in April. He notes they could dip lower if economic weakness shows up — but that’s not necessarily a good thing. Ideally, rates fall due to easing inflation, not economic trouble.

•  Kara Ng, Senior Economist at Zillow Home Loans, expects mortgage rates to stay in the mid-6% range through the end of the year. She also mentions that falling rates might cause the home-shopping season to start earlier this year, as we already saw increased activity in late February and early March.

•  Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors, also expects April rates to hover near 6.5% — the lowest since late 2024. He notes that changes to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac policies could impact mortgage rates, so it’s something to watch.

•  Holden Lewis, home and mortgage expert at NerdWallet, explains that market trends — especially the performance of the stock market — can influence mortgage rates. If stock prices drop, we could see mortgage rates fall too. However, persistent inflation could push them higher.

Bottom Line for Buyers & Sellers:

Even slight rate dips can bring more buyers into the market. Increased inventory could lead to more options for buyers and a healthier, more balanced housing market this spring. While affordability challenges persist, especially for first-time buyers, many may find better selection or some negotiating power in the current environment.

This summary was adapted from an article by Alisa Wolfson, originally published on MarketWatch: “As mortgage rates continue to ‘tick down,’ here’s what 4 pros say will happen next.”

This content is a simplified summary for educational and informational purposes only. All credit to the original author and publication. No copyright infringement intended.