Expert poll: Mortgage rate trend predictions for March 26 - April 1, 2026

Heather Devoto

Vice President, Branch Manager, First Home Mortgage , McLean , VA

We expect rates will remain volatile in the week ahead, likely edging higher as market participants react to continued news out of the Middle East.

Mark Hamrick

Washington Bureau Chief, Senior Economic Analyst for Bankrate

I’d look for rates to go higher still. The trend, unfortunately, is not our friend in this environment, where inflation fears are being fanned by the conflict in the Middle East and the many so-called ripple effects.

Jeff Lazerson

President, MortgageGrader

Higher. As the war goes on, so [do] higher mortgage rates.

Dick Lepre

Senior Loan Officer, Realfinity , Alamo , CA

Trend: Higher. The situation in the Middle East creates uncertainty regarding the supply and price of oil. This drives rates higher. Volatility is high.

Sean P. Salter, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Finance and Dale Carnegie Trainer, Middle Tennessee State University , Murfreesboro , TN

Higher. The 10-year U.S. Treasury rate seems to have shifted to a higher level and has stabilized there over the past few days. However, the uncertainty over the Iran conflict and the resulting impact on consumer prices — oil, food, medicine, etc. — may drive inflation expectations higher and interest rates higher across the board. I expect mortgage rates to continue to increase over the next week.

Les Parker, CMB

Managing Director, Transformational Mortgage Solutions , Jacksonville , FL

Mortgage rates will go down. Unsurprisingly, mortgage rates ride the waves of energy prices. Price action across several related markets, such as gold and copper, suggests a free flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz in the near term. Many Middle East countries want a permanent end to uncertainty without relying on Iran. Balancing long-term solutions with near-term expectations keeps uncertainty high.

Ken Johnson

Walker Family Chair of Real Estate, University of Mississippi

News could break at any moment ending hostilities in Iran. A resolution would likely result in lower 10-year Treasury yields and a decline in mortgage rates. Conversely, a continuation of the conflict will lead to higher yields and rates. Being an optimist by nature, I believe we will see lower mortgage rates next week.

Dr. Anthony O. Kellum

President & CEO, Kellum Mortgage , Roseville , MI

I expect mortgage rates to remain relatively steady. However, it is important to acknowledge the significant role that current geopolitical tensions and global conflicts play in this outlook. From my perspective, these factors introduce a layer of uncertainty that can influence rate movement in two ways. During periods of instability, capital typically flows into safer assets like U.S. Treasuries, which helps stabilize rates or apply slight downward pressure. Conversely, if these conflicts disrupt energy markets or supply chains, they could reignite inflation concerns and push rates higher. While I recognize these crosscurrents in the market, geopolitical risk can shift sentiment quickly if conditions escalate. Ultimately, I am forecasting generally steady rates for the week, with the understanding that external global factors could introduce short-term volatility.

Nicole Rueth

Senior Vice President, CrossCountry Mortgage , Greenwood Village , CO

Mortgage rates are holding steady for now, even as geopolitical tensions in Iran add another layer of uncertainty to the market. While headlines around ceasefire talks briefly suggested relief, oil prices and bond yields are still elevated, signaling that inflation risks haven’t gone away. With jobs data next week and inflation creeping higher, rates are likely to stay rangebound until we see a more definitive shift in the labor market or a meaningful change in global conditions.

James Sahnger

Mortgage Planner, C2 Financial Corporation , Palm Beach Gardens , FL

We reached a low of 3.945% on the 10-year Treasury on March 2nd, and with it, a three-year low on the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, ranging from 5.75% to 6.04% — and lenders are currently quoting rates from 6.37% to 6.51%. As I said last week, rates are heavily dependent on the expectation of oil prices. Brent Crude on March 2 was $69.54 and peaked Monday at $111.86, or an increase of nearly 38%. Price swings can be drastic in a short timeframe, and rates respond in kind. I expect more volatility until a resolution is reached, which I hope will be sooner rather than later for all involved, and not just for rate reasons. When this occurs, I do expect rates will resume a path downward. Until then, I said unchanged for the next week, but we shall see.

Robert J. Smith

Chief Economist, GetWYZ Mortgage

Relatively unchanged. Rates should remain in a range until the geopolitical situation gets clearer.