Today’s Mortgage Rates:ย 

Updated:ย February 2, 2026 โ€ข 2:42 PM ETย ย 

ย Track the Why, not the what:๐Ÿ—“๏ธย February 2, 2026

Today’sย Mortgage Rates: What’s driving the changeย isn’tย just aboutย the daily numberย that pops up.ย I’m going to break down and explain the WHY behind Today’s Mortgage Rates: What’s Driving the Change in Metro Detroit! ย Learn the WHY theย rate moves so you can spot trends before they shift. By understanding the bond market, the MBS gap, and the Fed’s hidden influence, you’ll know when to lock your rate on a dipโ€”not a spike.

Your WHY Starts with the Formula

The 10-year Treasury yield is the interest rate the U.S. government pays to borrow money for 10 years. It acts like a weather vane for long-term rates, including mortgage rates.ย When investors expect higher inflation or stronger economic growth, they demand higher returns. That pushes the 10-year yield up โฌ†๏ธ, and mortgage rates usually rise with it.

When investors worry about a slowdown, a recession, or global trouble, they move money into safe U.S. Treasuries. That buying pushes the 10-year yield down โฌ‡๏ธ, and mortgage rates tend to fall.ย So when you hear about hot inflation, strong job numbers, or a tough-talking Federal Reserve, rates usually move higher ๐Ÿ“ˆ.ย But if you hear about weak data, recession fears, or market stress, rates often move lower ๐Ÿ“‰.

The 10-Year Treasury Yield Your Base- Updated by 10:30 ๐Ÿ•ฅ

2-2-2026ย 

Visual showing how the 10-year Treasury yield plus the MBS price gap equals the mortgage rate โ€“ Metro Detroit Home Experts.
The Yield Is Volatile

It appears the 10-year Treasury yield now has a new ceiling.ย ๐Ÿ“ˆ The goal is to have the yield start its drift back down to the January auction coupon rate ofย 4.173%ย and push the mortgage rate lower. It appears there is now good economic news, which is keeping the bond market volatile andย stubbornlyย high.ย 

Today's CNBC yield rate 5 day trends

Step #1: Why the Yield Spiked and Mortgage Rate with it๐Ÿ“Š

It started a few weeks ago and remains relevant today. The U.S. Treasury yields jumped โฌ†๏ธ, and mortgage rates moved up with them โ€” not because of inflation, the Federal Reserve, or a sudden change in the economy. It happened because foreign countries sent the U.S. a message using money.ย 

When countries ๐ŸŒ donโ€™t like U.S. policy, they donโ€™t make speeches; they sell U.S. bonds or stop buying them, which pushes bond prices down, yields up, and mortgage rates higher. Thatโ€™s what followed new White House tariff threats tied to Greenland and a tougher stance toward several countries. Foreign investors didnโ€™t dump everything; they sold just enough to move the market โ€” a warning shot โš ๏ธ, not a crash โ€” signaling, โ€œWe donโ€™t like these policies, and we own a lot of your debt.โ€ By Wednesday, the White House said there would be no new tariffs, but the damage was done. The 10-year Treasury yield is still up about 0.10% โฌ†๏ธ, and thatโ€™s keeping mortgage rates elevated.

Bottom line ๐Ÿงญ:ย 

Mortgage rates didnโ€™t rise because of inflation or the Fed. They rose because foreign investors pushed yields higher to send a political message โ€” showing how fast global politics can show up in your mortgage quote.

Why Mortgage Rates Are At Risk | Metro Detroit Home Experts -Top 10 holding Treasury Debt 2025 | Metro Detroit Home Experts

Step #2: Mortgage-backed Securities (MBS) Prices Today – Updated by 11:30 ๐Ÿ•ฆย 

๐Ÿšจ The second piece in determining mortgage rates is the all-important Mortgage-Backed Securities. Historically, the 50-year average between the 10-year Treasury yield and MBS rates has hovered around 1.72%.ย Currently, theย averageย range has plummeted from 2.528% on January 3rd, 2025.

ย ๐Ÿ“Œ Today’sย MBSย Gap: Hero ๐Ÿฆธ or Villain ๐Ÿฆนย with prediction

๐Ÿ“ฐ Mortgage Daily News reports thatย MBSย prices have remained the sameย and could have a minimalย impact on Mortgage Rates today. ๐Ÿšจ Due to the FHFA Fed Policies, they are using the MBS Gap balance mortgage rates.ย Today will be no exception.ย 

  • ๐Ÿฆธย Hero Mode: When Mortgage-Backed Securities (MBS) prices go up, it means investors are willing to accept lower yields in exchange for the stability of mortgage payments. The FHFA policy desk will determine today’s rate, not the math.ย 
  • โš–๏ธBalanced: Today’s yield at 4.267% plus yesterday’s MBS Gap of 1.917% would equal the potential rate of 6.18%.ย 
  • ๐ŸฆนVillain Mode: Falling MBS prices mean investors demand higher yields to take on mortgage risk, creatingย upward pressure on mortgage rates.โŒย Result: Lenders increase rates to keep spreads profitable or temporarily pause quoting. Additionally, when the yield skyrockets, ๐Ÿš€ the Fed Security Desk or Freddie and Fannie ๐Ÿฆ have been using the gap to correct and stabilize volatility in the Mortgage market. Buyers lose buying power, and the urgency to lock on a dip becomes critical. The FHFA policy desk will determine today’s mortgage rates, not the math.ย 

Important ๐Ÿ“ข Know Your Lender’s Policy on Rate Revisions –ย Morning vs Afternoonย 

โš ๏ธ Before locking your rate, alwaysย understand how your Lender determines their daily mortgage rate. Remember: yield and MBS prices fluctuate throughout the day, so knowing theย Lender’s timelineย before locking your rate isย crucial to saving. ๐Ÿ”

๐Ÿ“Šย Mortgage Daily Newsย article on the importance ofย understandingย why lendersย adjustย mortgage rates midday. ๐Ÿ’ฅKnow your Lender’s ๐Ÿฆ protocol for rate changes. ๐Ÿ”๐Ÿ’กย Do you offerย rate revisionsย if the bond market shiftsย lower in the afternoon? โ“Know theย WHYย andย save.๐Ÿ’ต

Today’s Actual Mortgage Rates: Updated at 2:30 ๐Ÿ•

Today’s Mortgage Rate: WHY Answered

Unfortunately, mortgage rates are not declining as quickly as they rose. The FHFA policy desk is keeping a tight lid on mortgage rates from increasing. The MBS gap was artificially compressed again today to offset the increase in yield. The bond market remains volatile.ย 

ย Mortgage Rates trends

Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS) Gap

The real story behind the WHY mortgage rates are lower!ย 

ย Why MBS Prices Are Being Compressed by the FHFA

๐Ÿ“Œ The MBS gapย hasn’t been following the mathย consistently since August. ๐Ÿงฎ The FHFA Policy Desk is determining the outcome of where they want rates to land. ย Remember, theย Federal Reserveย doesn’t determine mortgage rates;ย instead, the 10-year Treasury yield (set byย Treasury Department bond sales)ย andย theย Mortgage-Backed Securitiesย (MBS)ย gap,ย set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, do.ย 

FHFA Policy Desk
ย  ย  ย  ย  โฌ‡๏ธโฌ‡๏ธโฌ‡๏ธ
Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac
Capital Markets Desks
ย  ย  ย  ย  โฌ‡๏ธโฌ‡๏ธโฌ‡๏ธ
MBS Market
(Pricing & Spreads)
ย  ย  ย  ย  โฌ‡๏ธโฌ‡๏ธโฌ‡๏ธ
Lenders
(Rate Sheets)
ย  ย  ย  ย  โฌ‡๏ธโฌ‡๏ธโฌ‡๏ธ
Borrowers
(Final Mortgage Rate)
ย 

Get online Mortgage Quotes from Mortgage Daily Newsโคต๏ธClick to View.ย 

Base Rate: adjustment not made for your FICO score, your down payment, location, purchase pric,e and MORE!ย 
ย 
What My Crystal Ball Tells Me About the Future Mortgage Market

Based on months of prior bond auctions, we know Wall Street isn’t taking the bait. For investors to purchase bonds, they are demanding higher coupon rates. The Treasury needs to STOP๐Ÿ›‘increasing the deficit; they are burning through cash. If we don’t get our spending in check and stop feeding the deficit, we won’t see a significant change in mortgage rates.

Next, we have a new problem: the White House is using tariffs as a weapon to get what it wants. The last fiasco, involving tariffs on countries that opposed the Greenland takeover, sent mortgage rates skyrocketing. WHY? Because countries hold Millions to Billions of our bond debt. When countries decide to sell bonds prematurely to get their message to the White House, their policies won’t be tolerated. Thatย bond sell-off will causeย the 10-year Treasuryย yield to spike, and mortgage rates will follow. The bond market is still volatile. If you understand the WHY, you can predict the next dip and save thousands over the lifetime of your loan.

๐Ÿก Let’s Decode the Mortgage Market Together! ๐Ÿ’ฐ๐Ÿ”Ž
Let’s Connect โคต๏ธ

Wow! ๐Ÿคฏ There’s a lot to take in, but don’t worryโ€”I’ve got you! Mastering this step is key before you even start searching for your dream home. ๐Ÿ”‘Understanding how mortgage rates are determined and how to negotiate with lenders on rates and fees can save you thousands over time. ๐Ÿ’ต But it doesn’t have to be complicated! Let’s simplify the process together.๐Ÿ“… Schedule a Zoom call with me, and we’ll review the data step by step. I’ll share my screenย to give you a clear view of market insights so you can make confident, informed decisions about your next steps! โœ…โœจ

Pam Sawyer at Metro Detroit Home Experts - Team Tag it Sold
Contact me with Questions by Email๐Ÿ’ก๐ŸŽ“

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Website Development, Production, and Content by Pam Sawyer @ Team Tag It Sold ยฉ 2017 to the current year. All Rights Reserved

The information contained, and the opinions expressed in this article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. Metro Detroit Home Experts ~ Team Tag it Sold does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions contained herein. Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice. You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision. Metro Detroit Home Experts ~ Team Tag It Sold will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on the information or opinions contained herein.

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Real Estate Insider ๐Ÿก๐ŸŽฏ
Stay ahead in the real estate journey with insights that matter. Our newsletter is all about helping you save when buying and earn more when selling. Provide your email and text #, and we’ll deliver the knowledge you need. ๐Ÿ‘‡๐Ÿ‘‡๐Ÿ‘‡