03/05/2026
đ MINUTE READ HOUSE MARKET NEWS
đ Mortgage Update: Rates Edge to 6% as Global Tensions Rise
The housing market is currently balancing on a tightrope. While geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East has pushed bond yields higher, mortgage rates are holding steady enough to keep the spring home-buying season alive and well.
Here is everything you need to know about this week's shift.
đ Key Market Drivers
1. Geopolitical Friction
The primary reason for the slight climb is the military conflict involving the US and Iran. Since the campaign began over the weekend, 10-year Treasury yields have climbed. Because mortgage rates closely follow these yields, financing costs followed suit.
2. The "New Normal" Psychology
Even though 6% is higher than the "unicorn" rates of the pandemic era, the market has stopped waiting for a crash. Homeowners and buyers are increasingly accepting 6% as a fair baseline, leading to:
An 11% jump in total mortgage applications this week.
A refinance boom, with refis now making up nearly 60% of all activity.
3. The Fed's "Wait and See" Approach
The Federal Reserve is keeping its policy rate steady for now. Experts predict that rates will "drift" sideways for the rest of the year rather than plunge, meaning now might be as good a time as any to lock in a rate.
đĄ The Bottom Line
If you've been waiting on the sidelines for rates to hit 4% or 5%, you might be waiting a long time. With rates sitting a full percentage point lower than they were a year ago, the "spring thaw" in real estate is officially here.
Expert Insight: "Rates are down nearly a full percentage point from 2024, spurring activity from buyers, sellers, and owners alike." â Sam Khater, Freddie Mac Chief Economist