fixed mortgage rates
7% Spike In Mortgage Rates Wrecks First‑Time Budgets
The 50-basis-point spike adds about $108 to the monthly payment on a $300,000 loan, pushing a typical first-time buyer’s budget toward the limit. This rise from 6.55% to 6.8% may seem modest, but it reshapes long-term affordability and equity growth. $108 extra per month translates to