When could mortgage rates drop close to 5% again? Here's what three experts predict.

MoneyWatch: Managing Your Money When could mortgage rates drop close to 5% again? Here's what three experts predict. 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 Tim Maxwell Tim Maxwell Tim Maxwell is a freelance writer who covers investing, real estate, banking, credit education and other personal finance topics. Read Full Bio Tim Maxwell May 19, 2026 / 9:10 AM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google Mortgage rates can change suddenly and unexpectedly, especially in the current economic landscape. Saifulasmee Chede/Getty Images Predicting where mortgage rates are headed has become increasingly difficult recently. Case in point: The average 30-year fixed rate fell below 6% in late February for the first time since 2022, only to reverse course when the Iran conflict pushed Treasury yields higher — sending rates climbing back toward 6.5% by April. Rates then dipped below 6% again shortly after, before ticking back up. The whiplash has left would-be homebuyers struggling to plan their entrance. That volatility matters, though, because even slight rate differences can have a big impact on the cost of buying a home in this borrowing landscape.For example, while the difference between a 6% and 5% mortgage rate may seem nominal on paper, the reality is that just a 1% difference ultimately translates to hundreds of dollars a month on the typical home purchase. Right now, though, the average 30-year fixed rate is just under 6.5%, and the Federal Reserve has been holding its benchmark rate at a range of 3.50% to 3.75% as inflation climbs again. The Fed is also widely expected to leave rates unchanged at its June meeting, adding another layer of uncertainty to an already murky outlook.Still, if this year has demonstrated anything, it's that the rate environment can shift faster than m...