07/29/2026
Forbes surveyed experts who now expect 30-year mortgage rates to average 6.1% by year-end 2026
Forbes published its 2026 mortgage forecast on July 28, polling industry analysts who predict the 30-year fixed rate will settle near 6.1% by December—down from the mid-6% range we've seen through early summer. For a Colorado Springs buyer financing $485,000 (close to our county's current median), each quarter-point drop saves roughly $72 per month, or $864 annually.
That shift might not sound massive, but over 30 years it compounds to meaningful equity room—especially if you're stretching to afford Monument, Briargate, or newer builds in Falcon where inventory remains tight.
If rates do drift into the low 6s by winter, does that timing push you off the fence to buy—or are you waiting for something closer to 5% before you move?
Mortgage rates are one of the first indicators buyers look to when seeing if they can afford a home. A swing in rates—whether up or down—can cause a ripple effect in the market where buyers rush to make offers or run for the hills. Rate behavior also impacts homeowners who are considering refina...