New home sales took a notable step back in January, reversing much of the prior month’s strength and highlighting the volatility that often defines this data series. The Census Bureau reported a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 587,000 , down sharply from December’s 712,000 and 11.3% lower than January 2025. For-sale inventory moved slightly higher to 476,000 , up 0.4% from December but still 4.0% below year-ago levels. At the current sales pace, months’ supply jumped to 9.7 months , up from 8.0 months in December and 9.0 months one year ago. The increase reflects the combination of softer demand and relatively steady inventory levels. Prices declined on both a monthly and annual basis. The median sales price fell to $400,500 (-4.5% MoM; -6.8% YoY), while the average price dropped to $499,500 (-5.9% MoM; -3.6% YoY). The pullback suggests a shift in the mix of homes sold, with less upward pressure from higher-priced transactions. Sales (MoM): -17.6% Sales (YoY): -11.3% Inventory (YoY): -4.0% Months’ Supply: 9.7 (up from 8.0 prior month; 9.0 YoY)

March 20, 2026 Download our Mobile App: Download our Mobile App: 30 Yr. Fixed 6.53% +0.10%   5.99% 7.08% 15 Yr. Fixed 6.07% +0.05%   5.55% 6.48% 30 Yr. Jumbo 6.63% +0.03%   6.1% 7.2% Compare Mortgage Rates from Local Lenders for Mar 20, 2026 Mortgage Rates Move Back Above 6.5% Fri, Mar 20, 2026 2:53PM After hitting 5.99% as recently as February 27th, top tier 30yr fixed mortgage rates are back over 6.5% for the average lender today--the highest they've been since September 3rd, 2025.  The entire month of March has been painful for many corners of the financial market and mortgage rates are not immune. The Iran war is the underlying catalyst as surging fuel costs force global central banks to rapidly reassess inflation expectations and the policy rate outlook. As we're fond of repeating, an actual hike/cut of the Fed Funds Rate is of no concern to mortgage rates by the time it actuall... (read more) Mortgage News Daily Rate Change Points 30 Yr. Fixed 6.53% +0.10 0.00 15 Yr. Fixed 6.07% +0.05 0.00 30 Yr. FHA 6.00% +0.11 0.00 30 Yr. Jumbo 6.63% +0.03 0.00 7/6 SOFR ARM 6.19% +0.24 0.00 30 Yr. VA 6.01% +0.11 0.00 Updates Daily - Last Update: 3/20 Freddie Mac Rate Change Points 30 Yr. Fixed 6.22% +0.11 0.00 15 Yr. Fixed 5.54% +0.04 0.00 Updates Weekly - Last Update: 3/19 Mortgage Bankers Assoc. 30 Yr. Fixed 6.30% +0.11 0.63 15 Yr. Fixed 5.66% +0.12 0.73 30 Yr. Jumbo 6.39% +0.13 0.34 Updates Weekly - Last Update: 3/18 UMBS 30YR 5.0 98.15 -0.85   95.71 100.50 UMBS 30YR 5.5 100.09 -0.61   98.11 101.64 10 YR Treasury 4.383 +0.133   3.932 4.590 Central Banks Cite Oil to Steal Spotlight From Oil Fri, Mar 20, 2026 9:46AM In the space of 2 days, central banks have completely stolen the spotlight from energy prices, but they have relied on energy prices to do so. More simply put, markets had been following oil prices until this week's central bank announcements. At that point, central banks cited energy prices as a reason for bigger upside inflation risk, vanishing rate cut pr... (read more) MBS Price Change UMBS 4.5 95.86 -0.98 UMBS 5.0 98.15 -0.85 UMBS 5.5 100.09 -0.61 GNMA 4.5 96.09 -0.79 GNMA 5.0 98.57 -0.81 GNMA 5.5 100.20 -0.49 Pricing as of: 3/20 6:42PM EST US Treasury Yield Change 2 YR Treasury 3.904 +0.113 5 YR Treasury 4.007 +0.130 7 YR Treasury 4.198 +0.144 10 YR Treasury 4.383 +0.133 30 YR Treasury 4.942 +0.104 Pricing as of: 3/20 6:42PM EST Other News New Home Sales Plunge to 3-Year Lows Fri, Mar 20, 2026 2:15PM New home sales took a notable step back in January, reversing much of the prior month’s strength and highlighting the volatility that often defines this data series. The Census Bureau reported a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 587,000 , down sharply from December’s 712,000 and 11.3% lower than January 2025. For-sale inventory moved slightly higher t... (read more) Reality Check For Refi Demand Fri, Mar 20, 2026 2:08PM NOTE: the rates discussed in this article are from MBA's weekly survey and pertain to last week.  This week's rates have already moved significantly higher according to our daily data. Mortgage application activity fell sharply last week as rising rates weighed on demand. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reported a decrease of 10.9% on a season... (read more) Latest Video Former Fed Gov. Randy Kroszner: Interest rates might stay higher for longer... Fed Governor Chris Waller on interest rate outlook: Caution is warranted January wholesale inventories fell 0.5%; new home sales plunged 17.6% Private credit exodus boosts commercial real estate Around the Web Marketwatch Stocks and bonds struggle as traders see chances of Fed rate hike soar above 50% - up sharply from earlier this week Investing Live USD moves to new highs for the day. 10 year yield rises to 4.40% CNBC The spring housing market is on, but mortgage rates just shot higher. Here's what to know. Eye on Housing Value of Household Real Estate Assets Fall for Second Straight Quarter BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation Summary CNBC UK government borrowing costs hit their highest level since 2008 as inflation fears hit the gilt market CNBC U.S. Treasury yields edge higher as Iran war drives inflation pressure BLS Real average hourly earnings up 1.4 percent over the 12 months ending February 2026 CNBC Government bonds face perfect storm as Iran war rattles Europe's central banks Census.gov MONTHLY NEW RESIDENTIAL SALES, JANUARY 2026 Eye on Housing New Home Sales Decline in January on Weather Disruptions Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey The Conference Board The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for the US Fell Slightly in January

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