Published March 5, 2026 12:15pm EST
Average rate on benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage rises to 6%, Freddie Mac says Mortgage Rates rose to 6% this week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday.
Freddie Mac’s latest survey of the primary mortgage market, released Thursday, showed the benchmark’s average rate. Fixed mortgage over 30 years rose to 6% from last week’s reading of 5.98%.
The average rate for a 30-year loan was 6.63% a year ago.
“In fact, rates are down nearly a percentage point from the same time frame in 2024, boosting activity among buyers, sellers and homeowners,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “As a result, refinancing activity is increasing and purchase applications are ahead of last year’s pace.”
The average rate on a Fixed mortgage over 15 years rose to 5.43% from last week’s reading of 4.44%.
RENT BECOMES MORE AFFORDABLE FOR MANY AMERICANS AS THE MARKET STABILIZES
Mortgage rates are affected by several factors, including the Federal Reserve and geopolitics. Although mortgage rates are not directly affected by the Fed’s interest rate decisions, they closely track the 10-year Treasury yield. The 10-year yield was hovering around 4.02% Thursday afternoon.