US Mortgage Rates Climb to 6.38%, Highest in Over 6 Months

U.S. long-term mortgage rates have climbed for the fourth consecutive week, reaching 6.38%—the highest level in over six months—further dampening prospects for the spring home-buying season.

25 Mar, 17:56 — 26 Mar, 16:11

Post Share

Why this matters

Rising mortgage rates directly impact housing affordability, making homeownership less accessible for many and potentially slowing down the real estate market. This trend can have broader economic implications, affecting consumer spending and investment in the housing sector.

Key entitiesFreddie Mac Fannie Mae

The Story

What 3 sources agree on, dispute, and miss

What sources agree on

Mortgage rates have recently jumped
The increase in rates is negatively impacting the spring home-buying season
Housing affordability is a concern due to higher rates

Key claims1 agreed · 2 unverified

✓

Mortgage rates are near a 6-month high.

agreed·marketwatch

Mortgage purchase applications are down by 35% from the same period in 2019.

unverified·wolf-street

The spike in U.S. mortgage rates began since the Iran war started in late February.

unverified·marketwatch

Coverage gaps

The role of Freddie and Fannie's bond buying in mitigating higher mortgage rates

Reportedmarketwatch

Missingwolf-street

Specific percentage drop in mortgage purchase applications compared to 2019

Reportedwolf-street

Missingmarketwatch

The Story

Analyzing sources…

Source Diversity

Moderate (46/100)

3 sources25/33

Spectrum spread— 3/5 buckets covered17/33

Far L

Left1

Left (1)

Yahoo

Center1

Center (1)

marketwatch

Right1

Right (1)

wolf-street

Far R

Geographic diversity— 1 region4/34

US3

ℹAll sources from US region

Political spectrum

LeftCenterRight

marketwatch

wolf-street

Outlet rating This story

SourceOutletiGeneral editorial lean of the outletStoryiHow they covered this specific storyToneFactuality

marketwatchcentercenteranalyticalMostly FactualFactual reporting on market conditions

wolf-streetcentercenteranalyticalMixedData-driven analysis of economic trends

Coverage leans: center

The coverage is largely factual and data-driven, focusing on economic impacts without overt political framing.

Sources

Showing 3 of 3 sources

marketwatchMostly Factual136d ago

Mortgage rates climb for the fourth week in a row — and they won’t drop back down until this happens

Rates had fallen under 6% for the first time since 2022 just days before the start of Operation Epic Fury.

By Andrew Keshner

Read full article →

YahooMostly Factual136d ago

Average US long-term mortgage rate leaps to 6.38%, the highest level in more than 6 months

Read full article →

wolf-streetMixed137d ago

There Goes the Spring Selling Season: Mortgage Rates Jump, Mortgage Applications to Purchase a Home Drop

Mortgage purchase applications are down by 35% from the same period in 2019 in a housing market that remains frozen.

By Wolf Richter

Read full article →

Coverage Timeline

First report: wolf-street · 25 Mar, 17:56|Full coverage: 3 · 22h|Window: 22h

Left-leaningCenterRight-leaning

wolf-street25 Mar, 17:56First to report

There Goes the Spring Selling Season: Mortgage Rates Jump, Mortgage Applications to Purchase a Home Drop

22h later

Yahoo26 Mar, 16:03

Average US long-term mortgage rate leaps to 6.38%, the highest level in more than 6 months

marketwatch26 Mar, 16:11Latest update

PERSPECTA

PERSPECTA

US Mortgage Rates Climb to 6.38%, Highest in Over 6 Months

Why this matters

The Story

What sources agree on

Key claims1 agreed · 2 unverified

Coverage gaps

The Story

Source Diversity

Source Diversity

Political spectrum

Sources

Mortgage rates climb for the fourth week in a row — and they won’t drop back down until this happens

Average US long-term mortgage rate leaps to 6.38%, the highest level in more than 6 months

There Goes the Spring Selling Season: Mortgage Rates Jump, Mortgage Applications to Purchase a Home Drop

Coverage Timeline

There Goes the Spring Selling Season: Mortgage Rates Jump, Mortgage Applications to Purchase a Home Drop

Average US long-term mortgage rate leaps to 6.38%, the highest level in more than 6 months

Mortgage rates climb for the fourth week in a row — and they won’t drop back down until this happens

Related Stories

How Cursor recruits elite AI engineers when huge salaries aren't enough

Golda ice cream chain faces NIS 350 million lawsuit over falsely labeled sugar-free options

Investment Outlook for Taiwan Semiconductor by 2028

German Stock Market Boom Driven by Foreign Investors Amid Economic Stagnation

PERSPECTA

Political spectrum

Why this matters

The Story

What sources agree on

Key claims1 agreed · 2 unverified

Coverage gaps

Coverage matrix