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High Mortgage Rates to Keep US Housing Market Revival Elusive: Reuters Poll

PUBLISHED Sep 15, 2026, 4:00 AM ET

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Media Bias Meter

Sources: 19

Left 16%

Center 79%

Right 5%

Sources: 19

A Reuters poll of property specialists released on Monday indicates that U.S. mortgage rates will remain elevated and decline only modestly, keeping home price growth subdued and complicating government efforts to revive the domestic housing sector. The benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage rate has hovered near 6.85% following a surge in 10-year Treasury yields past the 5% threshold, driven by federal borrowing demands and inflation expectations. Housing analysts surveyed between late August and mid-September project mortgage rates will average 6.60% and 6.52% over the next two quarters. S&P Cotality Case-Shiller 20-City Index home price growth is forecast at 1.5% for the year and 2.3% in 2027, trailing general inflation. Existing home sales are anticipated to average an annualized 4.0 million units, well below historical peaks. Strategists note that persistent inventory shortages and affordability hurdles continue to heavily impact first-time and lower-income buyers across the country.

By Neha R. | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

On February 28, 2026, U.S.-Iran conflict onset spiked benchmark 10-year Treasury yields.
On August 28, 2026, Reuters initiated its latest survey of property market specialists.
On September 9, 2026, a separate Reuters poll projected a steady federal funds rate.
On September 10, 2026, Freddie Mac reported average 30-year fixed mortgage rates at 6.76%.
On September 14, 2026, Reuters concluded its housing market analyst survey period.
On September 15, 2026, Reuters published its property market poll results globally.
In coming months, mortgage rates are projected to hover near mid-six percent.
In late 2026, existing home sales are expected to average 4 million units.
Throughout 2027, U.S. home price growth is forecasted to reach 2.3 percent.
In long-term projections, housing affordability constraints will persist without inventory growth.

News Intelligence

Immediate US impact: Elevated borrowing costs suppress nationwide home transactions and consumer purchasing power.
Possible long-term US impact: Persistent affordability constraints will permanently alter long-term U.S. homeownership demographics.
Most affected groups: First-time home buyers, real estate brokerages, and regional property markets.
Reader priority: Monitor Federal Reserve policy announcements and upcoming treasury yield fluctuations closely.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 19
Right Leaning:: 1
Left Leaning:: 3
Neutral:: 15

Explain Framing

Left: Emphasizes housing affordability crises and burdens on lower-income buyers. Center: Reports survey statistics neutrally alongside broader macroeconomic data indicators. Right: Focuses on federal debt pressures and monetary policy policy implications.