Introduction Mortgage rates have hit a significant “sweet spot” in mid-February 2026. According to the latest Freddie Mac data released on February 12, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.09%, down from last week’s 6.11%. This puts rates at a three-year low, a stark contrast to the 6.87% buyers were facing this time last year.
Housing Affordability “Measurably Improves” Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist, Sam Khater, notes that strong economic growth and a solid labor market, combined with these lower rates, are driving home purchase application activity significantly higher than a year ago. For buyers on your site, this “stability window” offers a rare opportunity to secure financing before the spring rush potentially pushes prices back up.
Inventory and the Fed’s Next Move While rates have dipped, the Federal Reserve’s “wait-and-see” approach means we shouldn’t expect sub-6% rates in the immediate future. Prediction markets currently show a 93% probability that the Fed will keep rates unchanged in March. With inventory up 20% year-over-year, the 2026 market is the most balanced it has been in half a decade, allowing for more seller concessions and inspections than the frantic markets of 2024