If you’re in any way involved in the real estate world, then the conversation of rates seems to be top of mind these days. It feels that the majority are waiting for the big ‘drop’, perhaps to a time back in 2021 when rates were commonly teetering around 3%. Now, the new ‘teeter’ if you will is 7% give or take, and the expectancy for a drop has been on the horizon for months now. So what is to come for the rest of 2025? See below a capture of what the top names have to say about mortgage rates for the remainder of the year.

Long Forecast:
- They're predicting a gradual dip in the coming months.
- August 2025: Average 6.59%
- December 2025: Average 6.29%
National Association of REALTORS (NAR):
- NAR's Chief Economist, Lawrence Yun, predicts an average of 6.4% for the second half of 2025.
- Yun thinks we're heading for “brighter days” in housing.
Fannie Mae:
- They're predicting that 30-year mortgage rates will end 2025 at 6.5%, and go down to 6.1% by the end of 2026.
Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA):
- They anticipate rates near 6.8% through September 2025, then gradually decreasing to 6.7% by year-end.
- Sometime in 2026 they may stabilize to 6.3%.
Morgan Stanley:
- Strategists believe mortgage rates could fall, which would improve how people can afford homes.
- A slowing economy might bring even lower rates in 2026.
Freddie Mac:
- They said rates would stay “higher for longer.”
- They do see increased housing activity as buyers get used to the current rates.
Other Voices:
- Forbes Advisor: Rates might ease slowly due to Federal Reserve caution and economic policies.
- U.S. News: Rates might stay range between 6.5% and 7% through 2025.
- The Mortgage Reports: They say there’s a downward trend in July. They cite NAR’s prediction of 6.4% Q3.