Mortgage Rates in 2025: should you wait for them to fall or move when you’re ready?
- Amy McCormick
- Sep 9
- 4 min read
Whether you’re buying or selling, Catherine, Amy, and Joni are here to guide you with clear numbers, proven strategy, and steady support. Connect with us today and take your next step with confidence.
Mortgage rates dipped last week, giving buyers and sellers a much-needed boost of renewed hope for movement toward better affordability. Freddie Mac’s weekly survey showed the 30-year fixed at 6.50% as of September 4, 2025, its lowest point in nearly a year (Freddie Mac). But with so much buzz about another possible dip before the end of the year, should you wait to act or move forward when you’re ready?
Industry Forecasts for Late 2025
Most experts see rates holding in the mid-6% range through the end of 2025:
Fannie Mae projects around 6.5% (Fannie Mae ESR Outlook).
Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) expects 6.7% (MBA Forecasts).
National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) sees rates near 6.7% (NAR Forecast).
NAHB (Home Builders) also projects rates in the mid-6% range (NAHB/Forbes Advisor).
Bottom line: modest easing is possible, but no one credible is calling for a free-fall back to the 5% ranges.
If you have been sidelined (or simply intentionally waiting to see what happens) by rising mortgage rates, how might the buzz around rates impact you?
For Buyers: Pros and Cons of Waiting (assuming another rate dip in Q4)
Pros:
Lower monthly payments
Improved qualifying ratios
Slightly lower closing costs
Cons:
More competition, if you are waiting for the rate sweet-spot, there are dozens of other buyers doing the same
Home prices continue to rise: Our Market Action Update for August is here, showing that even with the market slow-down, home prices continue to make modest gains year-over-year.
You delay building equity
For Sellers: Pros and Cons of Waiting (assuming another rate dip in Q4)
Pros:
A lower-rate environment can bring more buyers to your door
Extra time to improve condition and marketability
Cons:
If many sellers wait, inventory may flood the market at once
Rate improvements are expected to be modest, not dramatic
You buy in the same market you sell in; if a rate dip brings more favorable terms to you as a seller, it can mean less favorable terms when you become the buyer.
Why Moving When You're Ready Usually Makes the Best Sense
Attempting to time mortgage rates is tricky to say the least. Even experts who's careers are dedicated to following rate trends can't know for certain what is in store. Rates are influenced more by the 10-year Treasury yield and market spreads than the Fed’s decisions alone. Forecasts can change fast with inflation, jobs data, or global events. What you can control is your readiness: finances in order, goals set, and a plan to buy or sell confidently.
Those who move when they are ready often secure better overall outcomes than those waiting for a rate that may never arrive.
That's what I did last year. My husband and I had been looking for a larger home for our family since 2021 (you know, back when rates were in the 3s and prices were shooting through the roof?). Well, the right home for our family never came on the market, but we remained ready. And last year, when rates hit 7%, the right home for our family came on the market. We didn't hesitate. Why? Because hesitating meant that we would have lost out on the home of our dreams (there were multiple offers!). And because we knew our finances, we could afford the payments, and we knew that if/when rates did come back down again we would simply consider a refinance at that time. But, we would also be happily in our new home, not out competing with all the other buyers who had waited for that potential rate drop.
We also sold our existing home, receiving 7 offers on it - all in a rate market like we hadn't seen in decades - because we took the time to make it market-ready and priced it where we knew it would get the attention of buyers in the market.
Work with The McCreith Team
If you’re buying, we’ll get you fully pre-approved, move fast on showings, and negotiate for your interests with all our experience and expertise. If you’re selling, we’ll guide you through our proven 5 Ps: Price, Present, Promote, Persuade, and Persist, so that your home stands out when we bring it to market. Our client-first, data-driven approach throughout the Portland Metro markets means you can act with confidence, not wishful-thinking.
We've helped hundreds of buyers and sellers in our decades-long real estate careers. Our brokerage is consistently number one in units sold and volume for our market, which means the experts are on your side. Let's connect today and begin strategizing for your next move. We can't wait to make it an incredible success!
Amy McCormick
Joni McCreith
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