The Impact of Changing Mortgage Rates on You

The 30-year fixed mortgage rate has experienced fluctuations between 6% and 7% throughout the year. If you have been uncertain about whether to proceed with a home purchase, understanding the impact of a 1% or even a 0.5% shift in mortgage rates can be beneficial in assessing your purchasing power.

The chart below helps show the general relationship between mortgage rates and a typical monthly mortgage payment:

Even a 0.5% change can have a big impact on your monthly payment. And since rates have been moving between 6% and 7% for a while now, you can see how it impacts your purchasing power as rates go down.

What This Means for You

You may be tempted to put your homebuying plans on hold in hopes that rates will fall. But that can be risky. No one knows for sure where rates will go from here, and trying to time them for your benefit is tough. Lisa Sturtevant, Housing Economist at Bright MLS, explains:

“It is typically a fool’s errand for a homebuyer to try to time rates in this market . . . But volatility in mortgage rates right now can have a real impact on buyers’ monthly payments.”

That’s why it’s critical to lean on your expert real estate advisors to explore your mortgage options, understand what impacts mortgage rates, and plan your homebuying budget around today’s volatility. They’ll also be able to offer advice tailored to your specific situation and goals, so you have what you need to make an informed decision.

Your ability to buy a home could be impacted by changing mortgage rates. If you’re thinking about making a move, partner with a trusted real estate agent and lender so you have a strong plan in place.