Mortgage Interest Rates Forecast for 2024: When Will Rates Drop? (2024)

The current mortgage interest rates forecast is for rates to embark on a gentle downward trajectory over the remainder of 2024. Rates rose steadily in early spring, finally breaking 7% for the first time this year in April and remaining there through mid May. We can expect similarly elevated rates in June, but there’s no reason to believe they’ll skyrocket.

There are no guarantees, but our market expert recommends cautious optimism during the spring season. Progress on inflation, as well as signs from the Federal Reserve that rate cuts may be on the horizon, point to the possibility that rates could still stay under 7% for most of the year. If inflation does continue to fall without the broader economy taking a jarring hit, interest rates are likely to dip and give the housing market a chance to finally pick up steam.

Mortgage rates held steady for the first three months of 2024, remaining confined to the small space between 6.5% and 7%. They then began to climb in April, however, finally exceeding 7% and remaining there for several weeks. By the final week of May, rates rose just above 7% once again, landing at 7.03%, according to the May 30, 2024, Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey®.

At each of their meetings in 2024, the Federal Reserve has chosen not to raise interest rates, putting even more ground between themselves and the last hike — now more than 10 months in the rearview mirror.

Those decisions, combined with the Fed’s intention to make three rate cuts in 2024, has had investors and market watchers abuzz. For the first several months of 2024 everyone was looking ahead to potential cuts.

However, the expected arrival time for those cuts has been continually pushed back as, month after month, the Fed continues to see elevated inflation figures. Cutting rates too soon could make inflation worse so, for now, the Fed isn’t expected to make a cut until the summer. And, even when the Fed does start to cut rates, we shouldn’t expect a dramatic reduction, according to Jacob Channel, LendingTree’s senior economist. Instead, we’ll probably see some gradual 25-basis-point cuts here and there. If that happens, rates could still fall to closer to 6% by the end of 2024.

Channel expects rates to remain high compared to the levels seen during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when average 30-year mortgage rates were around 2.65%. Those record lows, as nice as they were, might not ever be seen again in our lifetimes, Channel says.

Will home affordability improve in June?

As one of the more expensive months of the year in which to purchase, June doesn’t contain any of >the best days of the year to buy a home. That fact, combined with high interest rates that topped 7% in April and May, means the housing market continues to be pricey. Potential homebuyers shouldn’t expect significantly better affordability in June than they saw in 2023.

Until rates and home prices both start to drop, we’ll likely see affordability remain low, Channel says. So far, low housing supply continues to push home prices up. The national median mortgage payment has risen by $144 year over year, and now sits at a hefty $2,256.

Why is there a housing shortage?

High rates and the “mortgage rate lock-in” effect, which makes homeowners reluctant to sell, continues to drive down inventory. As of late 2023, nearly 60% of existing homeowners had mortgages with rates below 4%, which represents savings of around $66,000 over the life of the loan compared to current rates. That’s why they’ll likely need to see rates come down further before feeling like it’s time to venture back into the market.

Home sales remain quite low compared to this time in 2023. Purchase volume was down by 10% compared to this same time last year, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) weekly mortgage applications survey for the week ending May 24, 2024.

Mortgage rates this week

Current average rates are calculated using all conditional loan offers presented to consumers nationwide by LendingTree’s network partners on the previous day for each combination of loan program, loan term and loan amount. Rates and other loan terms are subject to lender approval and not guaranteed. Not all consumers may qualify. See LendingTree’s Terms of Use for more details.

Getting a refinance doesn’t make sense for most homeowners sitting on the low rates they locked in before 2022. That’s when the market began its march upward — moving ever further from the sanguine rates of 2021 which, even at their highest point, barely exceeded 3%.

The conditions for refinancing are pretty unfriendly right now. Despite this, the number of refinance applications are up by about 12% compared to one year ago, according to the MBA’s latest data.

Refinancing homeowners may be reacting to rising rates with a rush to get in before things get worse, but Channel believes this small uptick in refinances is likely just a blip and urges caution. He advises borrowers to carefully consider their options before getting a new mortgage. “A knee-jerk decision made because you think the sky is falling is more likely to cause you heartache than it is to make your life easier,” he says.

Current refinance rates for June 2024

Current average rates are calculated using all conditional loan offers presented to consumers nationwide by LendingTree’s network partners on the previous day for each combination of loan program, loan term and loan amount. Rates and other loan terms are subject to lender approval and not guaranteed. Not all consumers may qualify. See LendingTree’s Terms of Use for more details.

Although inflation is cooling more slowly than expected, in the longer run it is still expected to cool. That, and the Fed’s cuts, should help bring mortgage rates down. “There’s still plenty of time for mortgage rates to decline before 2024 comes to an end,” Channel says. If inflation growth does start to slow down, the Fed may still choose to cut rates sometime in the second half of the year. And, if they do, mortgage rates should drop.”

On the other hand, hot inflation, additional pressure on rates from the Fed and waning demand for U.S. bonds could push rates higher, he adds.

Ultimately, Channel urges homebuyers to focus on what they can afford in the current market rather than obsessing about the future. It’s impossible to time the market, but borrowers only need to concern themselves with securing affordable payments, not a “perfect” rate. And for now, getting into the market means making peace with a 6.5%-plus rate.

How to get the best mortgage rates

1. Boost your credit score

Pay your bills on time, minimize your credit card balances and avoid opening several new credit accounts at once. You’ll get the best conventional mortgage rates with a 780 credit score or higher.

Learn more about ways to boost your credit score.

2. Compare rates from multiple lenders

LendingTree data consistently show that consumers who shop around for mortgage rates typically save money. Get a loan estimate from three to five different mortgage lenders and compare the rates and terms you’re offered.

Learn more about our picks for the best mortgage lenders.

3. Consider paying points

A mortgage point costs 1% of your loan amount, and paying for points allows you to “buy” a cheaper interest rate. Read the fine print if you see an online rate that looks lower than what other lenders are offering — there’s a good chance you’ll have to pay points to get it.