May 11, 2026 - 05:04

Homeowners looking to refinance faced slightly steeper costs on Monday, May 10, 2026, as the average rate on a 30-year fixed refinance loan rose by 3 basis points to 6.59%. The increase, while modest, reflects ongoing pressure from inflation data and the Federal Reserve's cautious stance on interest rate cuts.
The move higher comes after weeks of choppy trading in the bond market. Investors are pricing in the possibility that the Fed will hold its benchmark rate steady through the summer, waiting for clearer signs that price growth is cooling toward its 2% target. Until that happens, mortgage rates are likely to stay elevated compared to the historic lows seen a few years ago.
For borrowers, the current rate environment means that refinancing only makes sense if you can lower your monthly payment significantly or switch from an adjustable-rate loan to a fixed one. Many homeowners who locked in rates below 4% during the pandemic have little incentive to refinance now. However, those who bought homes in the last two years at higher rates may still find value in shopping around.
Other loan products saw similar small moves. The 15-year fixed refinance rate held steady at 5.92%, while the 5/1 adjustable-rate refinance ticked up to 6.12%. As always, actual rates vary by lender, credit score, and loan amount, so comparing offers remains critical.
Looking ahead, the next major test for rates will come with the release of the Consumer Price Index later this week. A hotter-than-expected reading could push rates even higher, while a cooler number might provide some relief. For now, the trend is clear: borrowing costs are not coming down in a hurry.
May 13, 2026 - 11:03
Global conflict keeps mortgage rates high as Hampton Roads real estate experts hold summit with top economistCHESAPEAKE, Va. -- Real estate professionals convened Tuesday in Chesapeake for the Realtor Broker Summit, where they heard from a top national economic forecaster. The event came at a time when...
May 12, 2026 - 17:55
Zillow sues to block Chicago-area listing service from going national with CompassZillow has filed a lawsuit against Midwest Real Estate Data, a Chicago-area multiple listing service, over its plan to go national with help from real estate brokerage Compass. The lawsuit claims...
May 12, 2026 - 04:42
Synchronicity scopes out new real estate after years in midtown -- considers all optionsA mainstay of Atlanta`s theater community for almost 30 years, Synchronicity Theatre is now searching for a new performing space. According to Rachel May, the company`s co-founder and producing...
May 10, 2026 - 05:52
Mortgage Rates Today, May 9, 2026: 30-Year Refinance Rate Creeps Up 4 Basis PointsMortgage rates ticked upward again today, with the average 30-year refinance rate reaching 6.61 percent. That is an increase of 4 basis points from the previous day, continuing a slow but steady...