Mortgage rates cool in 2025, but 2026 relief likely limited

HousingWire
Published: December 23, 2025
Pricing & Profitability

Summary

Mortgage rates are expected to cool in 2026, which could impact the second-home market and potentially benefit investors using debt-service-coverage ratio (DSCR) loans. Hosts should be aware of these trends as they may influence the demand for vacation rentals and investment strategies.

Key Insights

  • Nonqualified mortgages, including debt-service-coverage ratio (DSCR) loans, gained traction in 2025, which cater to investors and second-home buyers.
  • Mortgage rates are currently around 6.2% and are expected to remain relatively stable in the first half of 2026.

Action Items

  • Consider the impact of interest rates and the second-home market on your rental demand and pricing strategies. Review DSCR loan options if investing.
    Effort: low
    Impact: medium

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