Mortgage rates near 6-month high — but here's how much worse it would be without Freddie and Fannie's bond buying

Spike in U.S. mortgage rates since the Iran war began in late February has erased hopes for an affordability boost ahead of the spring home‑buying season. The article does not quantify the move in bps or percentages but frames the increase as sufficient to reverse anticipated improvements in affordability. Negative read-through for housing demand and mortgage-sensitive lenders; monitor MBS spreads and regional bank mortgage pipelines for signs of stress.

Analysis

Spike in U.S. mortgage rates since the Iran war began in late February has erased hopes for an affordability boost ahead of the spring home‑buying season. The article does not quantify the move in bps or percentages but frames the increase as sufficient to reverse anticipated improvements in affordability. Negative read-through for housing demand and mortgage-sensitive lenders; monitor MBS spreads and regional bank mortgage pipelines for signs of stress.