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Adjustable-Rate Mortgage Demand Climbs as 30-Year Fixed Rates Hit New Highs
Finance · Savings Banks · cnbc · 2026-09-09
Rising interest rates are pushing more borrowers toward adjustable-rate mortgages as overall mortgage application volume declines for the week.
What Happened
Shift in Mortgage Preferences: Demand for adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) rose to 8.5% of total applications last week, marking the highest level since June as borrowers seek relief from higher borrowing costs. This trend contrasts sharply with the pandemic era, when ARM demand remained near 3% due to historically low interest rates.
Impact of Rising Rates: The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages climbed to 6.85%, reaching its highest point since June 2025. This increase, driven by investor concerns regarding inflation and the federal budget deficit, contributed to a 2.7% decline in overall mortgage application volume.
Refinancing and Purchase Activity: Refinance applications experienced the sharpest decline, dropping 6% for the week and remaining 25% lower than the same period last year. Meanwhile, purchase applications remained largely flat, reflecting the ongoing pressure that elevated rates place on prospective homebuyers despite improvements in housing inventory.
Market Outlook and Future Data: Mortgage market participants are currently awaiting upcoming monthly inflation reports, which are expected to influence future rate movements. Depending on the data, mortgage rates could see significant volatility as investors adjust their expectations for the broader economic environment.