Expert poll: Mortgage rate trend predictions for August 13 - 19, 2026
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A majority of rate-watchers polled by Bankrate believe rates will stay about the same this week.
Of those polled, 80% say rates won't move much. The other 20% say rates will decrease.
The average 30-year fixed rate was 6.69% as of August 12, according to Bankrate’s national survey of large lenders.
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Explore mortgage ratesRate Trend Index
Experts predict where mortgage rates are headed
Week of August 13 - 19, 2026
| Go up | 0% |
|---|---|
| Stay the same | 80% |
| Go down | 20% |
The 10-year U.S. Treasury rate remains at an elevated level, but recent reports suggest that inflation may be moderating year over year. While rates could come down slightly, I believe that a flat mortgage rate schedule is more likely.Sean P. Salter, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Finance and Dale Carnegie Trainer, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN
0% say rates will go up
20% say rates will go down
James Sahnger
Mortgage Planner, C2 Financial Corporation , Palm Beach Gardens , FL
Wednesday’s inflation report offered mortgage markets a reason for cautious optimism. [The] headline [Consumer Price Index] rose only 0.07% in the month, while core CPI increased 0.2%, and year-over-year inflation matched its lowest level since March 2021. Combined with labor data that showed a 23,000-job loss versus expectations for an 80,000-job gain, the numbers suggest the economy may be cooling more than many inflation hawks anticipated. Geopolitical tensions involving Iran, along with the potential for higher shipping and energy costs, are keeping a floor under rates. Still, barring a fresh escalation in those risks, I expect mortgage rates to edge modestly lower over the next week.
80% say unchanged–
Nicole Rueth
Senior Vice President, CrossCountry Mortgage , Englewood , CO
Flat: Inflation came in exactly as forecast across every key metric, giving the bond market nothing to react to in either direction. Investors will remain cautious about the timing of any future policy change as long as inflation remains above the [Federal Reserve]’s long-term target, even as it eases. Rates are likely to stay flat in a narrow range until the market gets a cleaner inflation trend or a definitive resolution on the Iran conflict that oil prices can sustain.
Dr. Anthony O. Kellum
President & CEO, Kellum Mortgage , Roseville , MI
I expect mortgage interest rates to remain relatively unchanged this week. The latest inflation data showed continued moderation, which is encouraging for the bond market and has provided some modest relief for mortgage rates. However, I don't believe the data was strong enough to create a significant or sustained move lower just yet. The market is still looking for clearer evidence that inflation is moving consistently in the right direction, and that the economy is slowing enough to change the longer-term interest-rate outlook. Until that picture becomes clearer, I believe mortgage rates will continue trading within a fairly narrow range.
Sean P. Salter, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Finance and Dale Carnegie Trainer, Middle Tennessee State University , Murfreesboro , TN
The 10-year U.S. Treasury rate remains at an elevated level, but recent reports suggest that inflation may be moderating year over year. While rates could come down slightly, I believe that a flat mortgage rate schedule is more likely.
Melissa Cohn
Regional Vice President, William Raveis Mortgage
Mortgage rates will be stable this week, as a tame inflation report has kept yields from rising. Combined with a weak jobs report last week, this data could give the Fed reason to pause on a rate hike in September.