Fannie Mae’s Economic and Strategic Research Group predicted that 30-year mortgage rates will fall to 6.4% by the end of 2025 and drop further to 5.9% by late 2026.
Meanwhile, 57% said getting a mortgage would be difficult, the highest share in a year. “The share who say getting a mortgage would be easy decreased 2 percentage points to 43%,” the survey found.
Selma Hepp, chief economist at Cotality, says a government shutdown could trigger recession fears and a flight to Treasuries—potentially pulling mortgage rates lower. But market unpredictability and labor risks make forecasting tougher than ever. https://t.co/hAUAg90yej
— Mortgage Professional America Magazine (@MPAMagazineUS) September 26, 2025
Sellers still see opportunity, but buyers retreat
While buyers are discouraged, sellers remain more optimistic. Fifty-seven percent said it’s a good time to sell, unchanged from August, though the net share of those positive on selling has fallen sharply since last year.
Home price expectations, meanwhile, remained flat: 40% expect prices to rise in the next 12 months, while 22% expect a decline.
The survey also revealed that only 32% of Americans said the economy is on the right track, while 67% said it’s on the wrong track. Just 32% expect their personal finances to improve in the next year, and 23% expect them to worsen.