Today’s mortgage and refinance rates: October 26, 2022 | Rates remain elevated but could fall next year

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Average 30-year fixed mortgage rates are holding steady above 7%. Rates have been somewhat unpredictable in recent weeks as the market balances expectations of more hikes from the Federal Reserve with the likelihood of a coming recession.

The last time rates were this high was in 2002, when the median home price was just $187,200. Now, it’s $440,300.

But relief may be coming for homebuyers in the new year. Many forecasts expect rates to start to fall in 2023 as inflation cools.

"Really everything hinges on the economy," says Dan Dadoun, president of Silverton Mortgage. "If the Federal Reserve's rate hikes start getting inflation in check, mortgage rates could start to fall. And, in general, we see mortgage rates fall when there is a weak economy or a recession."

If the Fed can engineer a "soft landing," meaning it brings down price growth without causing a recession, hopeful homebuyers may have an easier time finding affordability in 2023. But if the US economy enters a recession, the situation becomes more complicated. While mortgage rates would likely fall in a recession, fewer people would be able to afford to buy a home due to financial hardship caused by a contracting economy.

Today's mortgage rates

Today's refinance rates

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Use our free mortgage calculator to see how today's interest rates will affect your monthly payments:

By clicking on "More details," you'll also see how much you'll pay over the entire length of your mortgage, including how much goes toward the principal vs. interest.

Mortgage rate projection for 2023

Mortgage rates started ticking up from historic lows in the second half of 2021 and have increased over three percentage points so far in 2022. They'll likely remain near their current levels for the remainder of 2022.

But many forecasts expect rates to begin to fall next year. In their latest forecast, Fannie Mae researchers predicted that rates are currently peaking, and that 30-year fixed rates will trend down to 6.2% by the end of 2023.

The Mortgage Bankers Association also noted that a recession in the first half of 2023 could cause rates to fall even faster. It currently estimates that there's a 50% likelihood that a mild recession will materialize in the next year.

Whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control.

In the last 12 months, the Consumer Price Index rose by 8.2%. This is only a slight slowdown compared to the previous month's numbers, which means the Fed will likely need to continue aggressively raising the federal funds rates to get prices to meaningfully come down.

As inflation slows, mortgage rates will likely start to fall as well. If the Fed acts too aggressively and engineers a recession, mortgage rates could fall further than what current forecasts expect. But rates probably won't drop to the historic lows borrowers enjoyed throughout the past couple of years.

When will house prices come down?

Home prices are starting to decline, but we likely won't see huge drops, even if there's a recession.

The S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index shows that prices are still up year-over-year, though they fell on a monthly basis in July. Fannie Mae researchers expect prices to decline 1.5% in 2023, while the MBA expects a 2.8% increase in 2023 and a 2.1% increase in 2024.

Sky high mortgage rates have pushed many hopeful buyers out of the market, slowing homebuying demand and putting downward pressure on home prices. But rates may start to drop next year, which would remove some of that pressure. The current supply of homes is also historically low, which will likely keep prices from dropping too far.

What happens to house prices in a recession?

House prices usually drop during a recession, but not always. When it does happen, it's generally because fewer people can afford to purchase homes, and the low demand forces sellers to lower their prices.

How much mortgage can I afford?

A mortgage calculator can help you determine how much you can afford to borrow. Play around with different home prices and down payment amounts to see how much your monthly payment could be, and think about how that fits in with your overall budget.

Typically, experts recommend spending no more than 28% of your gross monthly income on housing expenses. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

The lower your rate, the more you'll be able to borrow, so shop around and get preapproved with multiple mortgage lenders to see who can offer you the best rate. But remember not to borrow more than what your budget can comfortably handle.