Economy March 26, 2026

Freddie Mac: 30-Year Mortgage Rate Rises to 6.38%

15-year fixed rate increases as housing market shows gradual year-over-year improvement amid rate volatility

By Maya Rios
Freddie Mac: 30-Year Mortgage Rate Rises to 6.38%

Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey reports the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.38% as of March 26, 2026, up from 6.22% the prior week. The 15-year fixed-rate rose to 5.75%. Freddie Mac's chief economist notes the housing market is showing gradual improvement compared with a year earlier, with purchase and refinance applications higher year-over-year despite recent rate swings.

Key Points

  • 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.38% as of March 26, 2026, up from 6.22% the prior week
  • 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5.75%, up from 5.54% the prior week
  • Freddie Mac reports purchase and refinance applications are up year-over-year and the housing market shows gradual improvement

Freddie Mac released its Primary Mortgage Market Survey on Thursday, reporting that the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage came in at 6.38% as of March 26, 2026. That figure represents an increase from the 6.22% average recorded the previous week.

The agency also reported movement in shorter-term conforming loans. The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5.75% on the same date, up from 5.54% a week earlier.

On a year-over-year basis, Freddie Mac said the 30-year fixed-rate remains below last year’s average of 6.65%, while the 15-year fixed-rate is comparable to a year ago when it averaged 5.89%.

"Mortgage rates this week averaged 6.38%. The housing market continues to show gradual improvements compared to a year ago amid recent rate volatility. Purchase and refinance applications are up year-over-year, and rates remain lower than last year when they averaged 6.65%."

The comment above was provided by Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. His statement highlights two points emphasized in the survey results: a modest rebound in certain housing indicators relative to last year, and the presence of recent rate volatility that has affected market conditions.


Summary of key numbers:

  • 30-year fixed-rate mortgage: 6.38% (as of March 26, 2026), up from 6.22% the prior week; 6.65% one year earlier.
  • 15-year fixed-rate mortgage: 5.75%, up from 5.54% the prior week; 5.89% one year earlier.

Freddie Mac’s weekly survey captures prevailing mortgage-rate trends and provides a snapshot of the prime fixed-rate mortgage market. The agency’s data and accompanying commentary underscore that while rates have ticked higher week-over-week, they remain below the averages reported a year ago for the 30-year product.

Market participants and households tracking borrowing costs will likely watch subsequent weekly surveys to see whether the recent uptick in rates persists and how loan application volumes respond over the coming weeks.

Risks

  • Recent rate volatility could continue to influence borrower demand and mortgage application volume - impacts housing market and mortgage lenders
  • Week-over-week rate increases may pressure affordability for prospective buyers and affect mortgage origination activity - impacts real estate and consumer finance sectors

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