Expert poll: Mortgage rate trend predictions for August 27 - September 2, 2026
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Rate-watchers polled by Bankrate are split on where rates will go this week.
While 57% of experts think rates will stay about the same, another 29% expect them to decrease and 14% expect them to increase.
The average 30-year fixed rate was 6.68% as of August 26, 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 27 - September 2, 2026
| Go up | 14% |
|---|---|
| Stay the same | 57% |
| Go down | 29% |
Look for rates to remain rangebound through the next week, but things can change depending on Iran.James Sahnger, Mortgage Planner, C2 Financial Corporation, Jupiter, FL
14% say rates will go up
Denise McManus
Certified Luxury Home Agent, APEX RESIDENTIAL Real Estate/Xpert Home Lending
My take, no sugarcoating it: Rates aren't dropping this week. Core inflation is still running near 3.3%, unemployment's steady at 4.1% and we've now got a fresh tariff fight with Canada thrown into the mix. None of that gives the Fed room to cut — and a few committee members are still pushing for a hike, not a cut. If Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh leans hawkish Friday, rates tick up, not down.
29% say rates will go down
Heather Devoto
Vice President, Branch Manager, First Home Mortgage , McLean , VA
We expect rates to move a bit lower in the week ahead [as] market participants continue to react to the recent news from the Treasury department.
Les Parker, CMB
Managing Director, Transformational Mortgage Solutions , Jacksonville , FL
Mortgage rates will go down. The 10-year yield is beginning to drift to lower yields, so with the Iran situation offering little economic hindrance, expect mortgage rates to fall. However, wild reactions to news remain likely without abandoning the 50-basis-point range.
57% say unchanged–
Sean P. Salter, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Finance and Dale Carnegie Trainer, Middle Tennessee State University , Murfreesboro , TN
I expect mortgage rates to remain relatively stable over the next week, likely staying between 6.65% and 6.90%. Inflation continues to put some upward pressure on rates, although lower Treasury yields and improving energy prices should help limit any significant increase.
Dick Lepre
Senior Loan Officer, Realfinity , Alamo , CA
Economic data is, for the most part, flat, which is where rates are likely to be.
Nicole Rueth
Senior Vice President, CrossCountry Mortgage , Englewood , CO
July [Personal Consumption Expenditures] data should not have had an impact with core inflation holding at 3.3% annually, yet headline PCE nudged a tenth above expectations, and a bond market that had positioned for better news sold off immediately. Durable goods, wages and spending also came out above expectations. For an economy that feels like it’s teetering, it continues to run warmer than the Fed needs to feel comfortable. As long as inflation stays above 2% and the Iran conflict maintains, rates will continue trading in a tight range with no clear catalyst to push them lower before the September Fed meeting.
James Sahnger
Mortgage Planner, C2 Financial Corporation , Palm Beach Gardens , FL
After some upward pressure last week through Monday, rates improved following Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's statements about bond buybacks and that he could also fund them with the Treasury General Account. This simply means he has more juice to buy on the long end to push rates down. Time will tell. The Personal Consumption Expenditures index was released Wednesday with both headline and core inflation meeting expectations. Look for rates to remain rangebound through the next week, but things can change depending on Iran.