Expert poll: Mortgage rate trend predictions for April 16 - 22, 2026

Jeff Lazerson

President, MortgageGrader

Maybe President Trump will strike a deal with Iran to calm the inflation waters.

Les Parker, CMB

Managing Director, Transformational Mortgage Solutions , Jacksonville , FL

Mortgage rates will go down. Blockades can work well. Consider the Spartans’ naval blockade of Athens during the Peloponnesian War. Athens surrendered and set a precedent for the use of maritime blockades as a military strategy. The financial markets see an end to the Iranian situation sooner rather than later.

James Sahnger

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

To the relief of all parties, the ceasefire with Iran has remained in place. While terms for an agreement with Iran have not been met, things are tightening up with Iran that hopefully will force them back to the table and bring reasonable terms for peace. Economic numbers, aside from the spike in oil prices, have remained reasonably in line with expectations, paving the way for lower rates when oil prices decline.

Melissa Cohn

Regional Vice President, William Raveis Mortgage

Mortgage rates will remain rangebound this week. Markets are caught between the hope for a resolution to the conflict in Iran and fear of rising inflation. We will need to see solidly lower oil prices for there to be a meaningful drop in interest rates.

Mark Hamrick

Washington Bureau Chief, Senior Economic Analyst for Bankrate

I look for mortgage rates to remain little changed over the coming week. The war continues to be the most significant factor to monitor, affecting yields and passing through to mortgage rates. Depth and duration remain highly uncertain.

Dr. Anthony O. Kellum

President & CEO, Kellum Mortgage , Roseville , MI

I believe mortgage rates will stay steady this week. While we have seen rates trend slightly downward recently, due to easing inflation concerns and a modest reduction in market volatility, I do not believe there is enough momentum to drive a sustained move lower in the immediate term. Although the labor market is showing some signs of softness, it does not appear significant enough to shift the Federal Reserve's posture just yet. At the same time, geopolitical tensions and fluctuations in oil prices continue to introduce uncertainty, which will likely keep the markets and rates somewhat volatile. In my view, these competing forces will keep mortgage rates rangebound, with stability remaining the dominant theme despite short-term fluctuations.

Denise McManus

Certified Luxury Home Agent, APEX RESIDENTIAL Real Estate/Xpert Home Lending

The market is being pulled in two directions right now: 1. Upward pressure: Persistent inflation, particularly tied to energy and global tensions, is keeping the Fed cautious and limiting how fast rates can fall. 2. Downward pressure: Growing expectations that the Fed may eventually cut rates later this year are helping stabilize — and occasionally soften — mortgage rates. For the immediate week ahead, that tug-of-war likely results in minimal movement, with a slight lean toward improvement if bond markets continue to settle. My call: No major movement.

Robert J. Smith

Chief Economist, GetWYZ Mortgage

No change over the next week in the absence of key economic data.