Why has the average mortgage payment crossed $2,000, and how can you lower yours as mortgage rates remain stubbornly high in 2026?

The average mortgage payment has surged past $2,000 for the first time, reaching $2,005 as high mortgage rates, rising home prices, and persistent inflation reshape the U.S. housing market. Many buyers expected Federal Reserve rate cuts to bring relief. Instead, the average 30-year mortgage rate remains near 6.5%. The real story runs deeper. Treasury yields, investor caution, and growing federal debt continue driving borrowing costs higher. Yet smart moves matter. A stronger credit score, larger down payment...