At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here’s an explanation for
Mortgage experts are split over where rates are headed in the coming week (May 19-25). In response to Bankrate's weekly poll, 38 percent said rates are headed higher and another 38 percent said rates will stay the same. The remaining 25 percent expect rates to fall. Calculate your monthly payment using Bankrate's mortgage calculator.
Rate trend index
Experts predict where mortgage rates are headed
Week of May 19 - 25
| Go up | 38% |
|---|---|
| Stay the same | 38% |
| Go down | 25% |
Up, right along with gasoline prices.
— Jeff Lazerson, Mortgage Grader
38% say rates will go up
Greg McBride
CFA, chief financial analyst, Bankrate.com
Vote: Up. Inflation figures have continued to disappoint and the Fed will keep talking tough about doing what is necessary to get inflation under control.
25% say rates will go down
Les Parker
CMB, managing director, Transformational Mortgage Solutions, Jacksonville, Florida
Mortgage rates go down. Here's a parody based on Cat Stevens' 1970 classic, “Wild World.” "Hope bulls make another nice trend out there. But just remember there's a lot of bears and beware. Beware. Oh Powell, Powell, it's a wild world." Will the bears (higher rates) find the power to end the secular bull market (lower rates) that began in the mid-80s? Maybe, but not near term.
Dan Green
CEO, Homebuyer.com, Austin, Texas
Down. U.S. dollar strengthens and so U.S. mortgage rates drop.
38% say unchanged –
Ken H. Johnson
Real estate economist, Florida Atlantic University
A lot of craziness in the financial markets this past week has resulted in a net zero change in things. The yield on 10-Year Treasury notes has settled in around 2.90 percent. 30-year mortgage rates have settled in as well, ranging between 5.25 percent and 5.50 percent. We should expect more of the same next week as the Fed waits on the latest news in housing prices. We should expect to see no change in long-term mortgage rates next week.
Dick Lepre
Loan agent, CrossCountry Mortgage, Alamo, CA
Trend: Flat. For the short run I'm going with flat because there is no option called "clueless." Day to day is uncertain. Longer term (next few weeks and months) will see higher rates.
Michael Becker
Branch manager, Sierra Pacific Mortgage, White Marsh, Maryland
Bonds sold off earlier this week on a stronger than expected retail sales number. However, those loses are reversing today as stocks sell off as a result of weak quarterly earning reports for two large retailers: Target and Walmart. I expect this give and take to continue in the coming week resulting in mortgage rates being flat for the week.
About the Bankrate.com Rate Trend Index
Bankrate's panel of experts is comprised of economists, mortgage bankers, mortgage brokers and other industry experts who provide residential first mortgages to consumers. Results from Bankrate.com’s Mortgage Rate Trend Index are released each Thursday.
Stay on top of ever-changing rates
Get customized rate alerts delivered directly to your inbox.
By clicking 'Subscribe', I agree to Bankrate.com's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Share