Ongoing uncertainty could cause rates to stay high, or increase further. For instance, if tariffs cause inflation to reignite, which most experts and Fed officials expect, it could result in higher bond yields and fewer interest rate cuts by the central bank. Both would be bad for mortgage rates.

The average rate on 30-year fixed home loans increased to 6.75% for the week ending July 17, up from 6.72% last week.

Current mortgage rates are down, but higher than they were seven days ago. Rates are lower than they were in early 2025, when the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage reached above 7%. Even though Federal Reserve policy doesn’t directly impact today’s mortgage rates, they have been easing since the Fed began cutting rates in late 2024.