Mortgage rates might move higher this upcoming week, according to most rate watchers polled by Bankrate.
Of those polled, 40 percent of respondents expect rates to rise; 33 percent expect rates to stay flat; and 27 percent expect rates to retreat.
The average 30-year fixed rate was 6.78 percent as of March 26, according to Bankrate’s national survey of large lenders.
Estimate your monthly mortgage payment based on current rates using this calculator.
Rate Trend Index
Experts predict where mortgage rates are headed
Week of March 27 - April 2, 2025
| Go up | 40% |
|---|---|
| Stay the same | 33% |
| Go down | 27% |
Sentiment among consumers and businesses hints at economic weakness, but the actual data do not. Friday’s reading on the Fed’s preferred inflation measure — the Personal Consumption Expenditures Index — will be key to the next move in mortgage rates.
— Greg McBride, CFA, Bankrate
40% say rates will go up
Melissa Cohn
Regional Vice President, William Raveis Mortgage
Mortgage rates have risen this week as the White House walks back on new tariffs and bond yields rise.
Heather Devoto
Vice President, Branch Manager, First Home Mortgage , McLean , VA
I expect rates to increase modestly in the week ahead as traders react to continued market volatility from the Trump administration.
Derek Egeberg
Branch Manager, MortgageOne , Yuma , AZ
The “seesaw” of stocks/equities and mortgage/bonds is never more obvious than when there are major stock market moves. As the stock market rebounds higher, watch mortgage rates to also drift higher.
Greg McBride, CFA
Chief Financial Analyst, Bankrate , North Palm Beach , FL
Sentiment among consumers and businesses hints at economic weakness, but the actual data do not. Friday’s reading on the Fed’s preferred inflation measure — the Personal Consumption Expenditures Index — will be key to the next move in mortgage rates.
Nicole Rueth
Market Leader, The Rueth Team of Movement Mortgage , Denver , CO
While I still see a slowing economy supporting lower rates in the near future, recent stronger-than-expected durable and S&P PMI data as well as a stock market rally after a more limited tariff scope have rates ticking upward. The 10-year bond hit a one-month high. PCE is the next report and indicators are that it will move higher, further increasing a short-term increase in rates.
Nancy Vanden Houton, CFA
Senior Research Analyst, Stone & McCarthy Research Associates , New York , NY
Higher.
27% say rates will go down
Jeff Lazerson
President, MortgageGrader
Tariff talk is creating uncertainty. Uncertainty means money isn’t spent. Money not being spent means a slowdown.
Denise McManus
Global Real Estate Advisor, Engel & Voelkers & Senior Lender, Xpert Home Lending, Engel & Voelkers
No one is expecting the Fed to move rates this week, but the market will likely react on their commentary and what their likely moves are in the future. I believe rates will go down slightly; however, no major movements in the week ahead.
Joel Naroff
President and Chief Economist, Naroff Economic Advisors , Holland , PA
Worrisome news on the confidence front points to growing fears about the administration's policies.
Robert J. Smith
Chief Economist, GetWYZ Mortgage
Expect rates to drop slightly as the market digests the weak consumer confidence data and awaits the jobs report next week.
33% say unchanged–
Michael Becker
Branch Manager, Sierra Pacific Mortgage , White Marsh , MD
I don’t expect much movement in rates over the next week. On April 2 we may get some clarity on tariffs, and that may have a huge impact on mortgage rates. But for the next week, I expect mortgage rates to be flat.
Dr. Anthony O. Kellum
President & CEO, Kellum Mortgage , Roseville , MI
My current outlook is that mortgage rates will likely stay relatively steady for the time being. While there may be a gradual easing in the coming months, I don’t expect any significant drop. This is largely due to the Federal Reserve’s anticipated decision to keep rates unchanged as economic uncertainty continues. In the short term, we’re essentially in a holding pattern.
Dick Lepre
Senior Loan Officer, Realfinity , Alamo , CA
No surprises with any fundamental data and diminishing concerns that Trump will do something to upset markets will lead to a week of flat rates.
Les Parker, CMB
Managing Director, Transformational Mortgage Solutions , Jacksonville , FL
Mortgage rates will go nowhere. Here’s a parody of Bon Jovi’s 1992 hit “Bed of Roses": “Maybe spinning is all that bonds need. Bulls want to lay bears down in a bed of roses. For last year, they slept on a bed of nails.” Persistent mixed economic news keeps rates bound in a tight range.
Sean P. Salter, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Finance and Dale Carnegie Trainer, Middle Tennessee State University , Murfreesboro , TN
After reacting to the Fed's recent announcement that it expects lower-than-expected growth and slightly higher inflation, markets pushed rates slightly higher. In light of expected rate cuts in the future, I do not expect rates to move much in the next week.