Fed Cut Rates, Mortgage Rates Went UP 9/22/25

Summary

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Episode Overview

Podcast: Your Money Minute
Host: Jessica Ettinger
Episode Title: Fed Cut Rates, Mortgage Rates Went UP 9/22/25
Date: September 22, 2025

This brief, info-packed episode explores a paradox in the housing market: why mortgage rates increased even after the Federal Reserve cut interest rates. CNBC’s Jessica Ettinger breaks down mortgage rate movement, expert insights, and tips for getting the best rates, with analysis from CNBC’s team and industry expert Mark Ventner.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recent Mortgage Rate Movements (00:00 - 00:26)

• Overview: Mortgage rates dropped to their lowest levels in three years before the Fed’s interest rate cut.
• Details: The 30-year fixed mortgage hit 6.13%, which was a new three-year low.
• Quote:
  • “Mortgage rates took a dive last week. Before the Fed cut interest rates, mortgage rates dropped to their lowest level in three years at 6.13%...” — Jessica Ettinger (00:00)
• However, after the Fed’s rate cut, mortgage rates climbed up again, reaching about 6.4% by Friday.

2. Why Mortgage Rates Don’t Always Follow Fed Cuts (00:27 - 00:51)

• Key Insight: The Federal Reserve controls short-term interest rates, while most mortgages are based on long-term rates.
• Mortgage rates more closely align with the 10-year Treasury yield, which can fluctuate independently of Fed moves.
• Quote:
  • “Because the Fed controls short term interest rates and mortgages are typically long term loans... Mortgage rates loosely follow the rate on 10 year treasuries that can move around.” — Jessica Ettinger (00:23)

3. How to Secure the Best Mortgage Rate (00:51 - 01:17)

• Improving Your Prospects:
  • Boost your credit score as high as possible.
  • Save aggressively for your down payment.
  • Opt for a shorter loan term (like a 15-year mortgage) for better rates.
  • Demonstrate a stable employment history and sufficient income.
  • Consider new construction: Many builders are lowering prices and buying down rates to move unsold inventory.
• Quote:
  • “Get your credit score up as high as possible. Save as much as possible for a down payment and go for a shorter loan term like a 15 year. It’s a higher payment for you but less risky for the lender.” — Jessica Ettinger (00:46)
  • “You might also want to look at new construction where many home builders are lowering their prices and buying down rates...” — Jessica Ettinger (01:09)

4. Market Inventory and Builder Incentives (01:17 - 01:39)

• Insight from Mark Ventner, Piedmont Crescent Capital:
  • Unsold home inventory is the highest since 2007, pushing builders to slash prices and offer incentives.
  • The market won’t shift overnight; sales are key to clearing this backlog.
• Quote:
  • “Housing’s not going to turn on a dime because we have this huge buildup in inventories of new homes and it’s the highest it’s been since 2007. And so they need sales to pick up so that we can clear out some inventory.” — Mark Ventner (01:17)
  • “You are seeing that the builders are buying down mortgages still and they’re offering incentives.” — Mark Ventner (01:33)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Why rates went up after a Fed cut:
  • “Mortgage rates loosely follow the rate on 10 year treasuries that can move around.” — Jessica Ettinger (00:23)
• Market conditions for buyers:
  • “Many home builders are lowering their prices and buying down rates because there are just too many completed homes sitting there.” — Jessica Ettinger (01:13)
• Industry context:
  • “Unsold housing’s not going to turn on a dime... we have this huge buildup in inventories of new homes and it’s the highest it’s been since 2007.” — Mark Ventner (01:17)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00 — Mortgage rates hit 3-year lows before Fed cut
• 00:15 — Explanation: Fed’s impact vs. 10-year Treasury
• 00:46 — Tips on qualifying for the best rate
• 01:09 — Builders lowering prices, buy-down incentives
• 01:17 — Mark Ventner on inventory and sales trends

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Tone & Style

This episode delivers fast, practical advice in a clear, no-nonsense style that’s accessible for anyone following home-buying news or mortgage rates.

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If you missed the episode, this summary condenses Jessica Ettinger’s actionable tips and insights, making sense of confusing rate movements and preparing listeners with strategies for securing the best mortgage deal. For more, head to CNBC.com.

Transcript

[A]

With a CNBC your Money minute. I'm Jessica Ettinger. Mortgage rates took a dive last week. Before the Fed cut interest rates, mortgage rates dropped their lowest level in three years at 6.13% rate on a 30.

[B]

Year mortgage did hit a three year.

[A]

Low as mortgage rates now pull back to three year lows. CNBC's Sarah Eisen, David Faber and Diana Olek 6.1% for a 30 year fixed home loan. But then the Fed cut and mortgage rates went up. By Friday they were pushing 6.4%. Why? Because the Fed controls short term interest rates and mortgages are typically long term loans most for 30 years. Mortgage rates loosely follow the rate on 10 year treasuries that can move around. So to give yourself the absolute best chance for the lowest rate from a lender, get your credit score up as high as possible. Save as much as possible for a down payment and and go for a shorter loan term like a 15 year. It's a higher payment for you but less risky for the lender. And to get the best rate, you'll also want to walk in with a stable employment history and a decent salary. You might also want to look at new construction where many home builders are lowering their prices and buying down rates because there are just too many completed homes sitting there.

[B]

Unsold housing's not going to turn on a dime because we have this huge buildup in inventories of new homes and it's the highest it's been since 2007. And so they need sales to pick up so that we can clear out some inventory. We need to find balance. I mean there are essentially cuts taking place and that you are seeing that the builders are buying down mortgages still and they're offering incentives.

[A]

That's Piedmont Crescent Capital's Mark Ventner on CNBC. Lots more on [e-mail] I'm Jessica Ettinger.

[C]

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