Mortgage Rates Slightly Decline After Fed Rate Hike on September 17, 2026
On Thursday, September 17, 2026, mortgage rates slightly declined following the Federal Reserve's first interest rate hike in three years. The central bank raised benchmark rates by 25 basis points earlier that week, but mortgage rates had already risen due to market anticipation of this move. Despite typical negative effects on housing and bond markets, analysts suggest this Fed action could help stabilize inflation concerns and support a future recovery. The average national mortgage rate for the week through Wednesday was reported at 6.95% by Freddie Mac, up from 6.76%. Zillow data showed current rates hovering around 7%, with specific figures including a 30-year fixed-rate of 7.01% and a 15-year fixed-rate of 6.44%. The drop in the 10-year Treasury yield to 4.94% reflected investor confidence that this rate hike could be part of an ongoing cycle aimed at managing inflation. Zillow's chief economist, Mischa Fisher, noted that greater market confidence in controlling inflation might lead to lower mortgage rates by 2027 and help the housing recovery regain momentum.
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Topics: Federal Reserve inflation mortgage rates