Mortgage interest rates have bounced back after briefly dipping earlier this month, but there’s more to the story—especially for St. Louis home buyers. One key factor keeping rates from climbing even higher? The recent postponement of tariffs, which has helped ease economic pressure and may be keeping mortgage rates from surging faster.
As of today, the average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate conventional loan is around 6.95%, with FHA loans at 6.42% and VA loans at 6.45%. These numbers reflect an uptick from the recent low of about 6.40% on April 4th, but still sit below the 7.16% average we saw at the start of the year and 7.24% one year ago. Of course, we’re still a long way from the 3.33% rates buyers enjoyed just four years ago.
Why does this matter to local buyers and homeowners? Because mortgage rates directly affect buying power. When rates rise, monthly payments go up, which can price some buyers out of the market or force them to scale back their home search. Conversely, falling or stable rates tend to support home prices by allowing buyers to afford more house.
While rates are still elevated compared to historic lows, the tariff delay may be helping avoid even sharper increases. That’s good news for St. Louis buyers hoping to catch a break.
Looking at the St. Louis market specifically, there’s a clear relationship between interest rates and home prices. Our local data shows selling prices rose from $202,000 in April 2020 to $222,000 by August 2020, driven in part by the ultra-low-rate environment at the time. As rates climbed in 2023 and 2024, price growth slowed, and affordability concerns crept in.
We’ve included live, interactive interest rate charts below so you can see how today’s rates compare to previous years and track trends in real time. These tools are especially helpful if you’re trying to time your move—or just want to better understand the broader economic forces at play.
Bottom line: mortgage rates have nudged back up, but without the tariff postponement, it could’ve been worse. Stay tuned—any future policy changes could further impact the direction of rates and the St. Louis housing market.
If you’re thinking about buying or selling in this shifting environment, MORE, REALTORS® is here to help. We specialize in clear, data-driven insights and local expertise to guide your next move.
