Lauren Kinser Mortgage Loan Originator

05/15/2026

Mortgage rates creeped higher during the week May 15, 2026, as both wholesale and consumer inflation jumped. Mortgage Express is an Equal Housing Lender.

Markets in a Minute

05/08/2026

Rates moved higher early in the week ending May 8, 2026, but dropped later in the week on optimism that a deal with Iran is forthcoming. Mortgage Express is an Equal Housing Lender.

Markets in a Minute

05/01/2026

Rates moved higher during the week ending May 1, 2026, as oil prices rose and the Strait of Hormuz remained closed to commercial traffic. Mortgage Express is an Equal Housing Lender.

Markets in a Minute

04/24/2026

Rates remained unchanged during the week ending April 24, 2026, as the cease fire in the Middle East helped oil prices hold steady. Mortgage Express is an Equal Housing Lender.

Markets in a Minute

04/17/2026

During the week ending April 17, 2026, mortgage rates ticked higher mid-week before pulling back, leaving them roughly where they started the week. Mortgage Express is an Equal Housing Lender.

Markets in a Minute

04/15/2026

Do you need some CE credits? Register for this class TOMORROW April 16th for 3 CE credits.
Link to register:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/rDM--sjiTD6k5wx7E4jasA #/registration

04/10/2026

Rates moved day to day during the week ending April 10, 2026, as news came in from the Middle East, but they remained relatively unchanged. Mortgage Express is an Equal Housing Lender.

Markets in a Minute

04/03/2026

Rates improved during the week ending April 3, 2026, when markets anticipated a potential resolution to the conflict with Iran. Mortgage Express is an Equal Housing Lender.

Markets in a Minute

03/27/2026

Rates continued to rise during the week ending March 27, 2026, as the conflict in the Middle East pushed oil prices higher. Mortgage Express is an Equal Housing Lender.

Markets in a Minute

11/07/2025

True or False?
The Federal Reserve sets 30-year mortgage rates.

Answer: FALSE
It’s a common misconception that the Federal Reserve controls mortgage rates, but it only sets short-term rates.
In fact, long-term rates like the 30-year fixed usually follow the 10-year Treasury yield — not the fed funds rate. Other factors like the economy, global events, and Fed decisions also play a role, which is why mortgage rates don’t always move the way people expect.