Whether you're buying a new home or considering mortgage refinancing, the main question is the same right now: When will rates drop? The interest rate environment has remained elevated across various lending products,

Mortgage rates are up, but still under 7%. Today’s national average on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is 6.78%, according to Bankrate. If you choose a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage, the average rate is 6.

After a brief decline earlier this month, mortgage rates are climbing back toward 7% again. Here's what experts are saying.