The Federal Reserve on Wednesday left its benchmark interest rate unchanged, marking the central bank’s second consecutive pause in 2026. The Fed maintained the federal funds rate — what banks charge each other for short-term loans — in its current range of 3.5% to 3.75%. The decision to keep rates steady was widely expected by … Read more
The Federal Reserve’s decision on interest rates Wednesday is all but a foregone conclusion. Traders overwhelmingly expect it to keep rates on hold, a scenario that’s likely to persist for the rest of the year. Instead, it’s how Chair Jerome Powell and policymakers decide to respond to the growing Middle East oil crisis that will … Read more
Mortgage interest rates could now be low enough to support purchase or refinancing activity from borrowers. Getty Images/iStockphoto With the first Federal Reserve meeting since January set to conclude today, homebuyers and owners hoping to refinance will need to contend with both good and bad news. The bad news is that interest rates will remain … Read more
Homebuyers and owners hoping to refinance may want to seriously consider locking in a mortgage rate now. Dmitry Galanternik/IP Galanternik D.U./Getty Images For the first time since January 28, the Federal Reserve will meet today to discuss the future of interest rates, among other items. And homebuyers and homeowners hoping to refinance will be two … Read more
A recent rise in mortgage interest rates needs to be approached strategically by homebuyers. Pornpimone Audkamkong/Getty Images Average mortgage interest rates are on the rise again. After declining comfortably into the 5% range in February, rates here rose last week, thanks to a combination of uneven unemployment and inflation reports and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. And … Read more
Mortgage interest rates have risen in recent weeks, but can still be affordable for some buyers now. bauhaus1000/Getty Images For the first time since January, the Federal Reserve will meet this week to discuss, among other items, the future of interest rate policy. After reducing its benchmark interest rate three times in the final four … Read more
Americans eager for lower borrowing costs may have a long wait ahead of them. The Iran war is complicating the picture for the Federal Reserve, which is set to meet on March 18 for its next interest rate decision. Economists had predicted the Fed would hold its benchmark rate steady on Wednesday, but many had penciled … Read more
Today’s mortgage interest rates are significantly improved from where they stood one year ago. Art Wager/Getty Images If you were a borrower considering a home purchase or refinance in 2026, you could be forgiven for starting the year on an optimistic note. The Federal Reserve had just issued three consecutive interest rate cuts in the … Read more
HELOC borrowing costs have continuously declined over the past 18 months. sakchai vongsasiripat/Getty Images More than two full percentage points. That’s how far the average interest rate on a home equity line of credit (HELOC) has fallen in just the last 18 months. And with the potential for additional interest rate reductions later this spring … Read more
Mortgage interest rates this spring could be low enough to support purchase or refinance activity from borrowers. alabn/Getty Images March began with a series of questions for borrowers, the answers of which had the potential to change the mortgage interest rate climate. Last week, an unemployment report that showed a rise in the rate and … Read more