4 things mortgage lenders want homebuyers to know this April

MoneyWatch: Managing Your Money 4 things mortgage lenders want homebuyers to know this April We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. .chip { background-image: url('/fly/bundles/cbsnewscore/images/chip-bgd/chip-bgd-moneywatch.jpg'); } By Aly J Yale Aly J Yale Aly J. Yale is a contributing writer for the Managing Your Money section for CBSNews.com, covering various personal finance topics, including investing, homebuying, loans and more. Read Full Bio Aly J Yale April 6, 2026 / 9:43 AM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google With mortgage rates likely to stay elevated for now, it makes sense to focus on what you can control. Catherine Falls Commercial/Getty Images It's been a bumpy ride for mortgage rates this year, to say the least. At the end of February, rates on 30-year mortgages finally fell below the 6% mark, but they've since ticked back up and are currently averaging about 6.4% (as of April 6, 2026). The conflict in Iran and the higher prices it brings are a major driver in the change of course. And with no end in sight, that will likely continue to affect rates for the coming months."We touched sub-6% for the first time since 2022 at the end of February," says David Kakish, a home loan expert at Anchor Home Loans. "Two days later, geopolitical risk changed the picture, inflation expectations moved higher, the 10-year Treasury followed, and mortgage rates moved with it."So what does this all mean for potential homebuyers and refinancers in this unique landscape? Find out how affordable your mortgage loan could be now.4 things mortgage lenders want homebuyers to know this AprilHere's what mortgage lenders and banks want you to know before you make any moves this April:Waiting for lower rates could be riskyWhile buyers would like to see lower rates before buying a house or refinancing, experts say waiting for lower rates probably isn't a safe bet these days....