Mortgage Rates Inch Higher as Housing Activity Picks Up

Core Insights - The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.11% as of March 12, 2026, returning to the previous month's level [1][2][6] - Existing-home sales increased by 1.7% in February, indicating a positive response from buyers to the current mortgage rates [2] - Purchase applications have also risen, suggesting a strong entry into the spring homebuying season, with rates down more than half a percentage point compared to the same time last year [2] Mortgage Rate Trends - The 30-year FRM increased from 6.00% last week to 6.11% this week, while a year ago it was at 6.65% [6] - The 15-year FRM averaged 5.50%, up from 5.43% last week, and compared to 5.80% a year ago [6] Freddie Mac's Mission - Freddie Mac aims to enhance liquidity, stability, and affordability in the housing market across all economic cycles, having assisted millions of families since 1970 [3]