Mortgage Rates Dip Toward 6% Again — Here’s What It Means for Buyers and Refi Hopes
Average U.S. mortgage rates ticked down, with Bankrate putting the 30-year fixed at 6.04% on Feb. 25, slipping from 6.19% the previous week. “The Federal Reserve is sticking to a cautious stance on rate cuts in 2026, and the latest FOMC minutes leave the door open for another hike,” said Dr. Selma Hepp, chief economist at Cotality, in a statement. https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/todays-rates/mortgage-rates-for-wednesday-february-25-2026/ This shift lands just as the spring selling season takes shape, with buyers still stuck facing steep prices. Plenty of homeowners, meanwhile, have been holding out for a better refinancing shot. For some households, even a minor rate move can adjust monthly payments enough to spark renewed interest in buying.