Realtor.com Research Says About 22% of Outstanding Mortgages Are at 6% or Higher

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The data shows the lock-in effect is easing gradually, but most existing borrowers still hold rates below 6%.

Realtor.com Research reported on July 24, 2026, that about 22% of outstanding mortgages in its Q1 data carry rates of 6% or higher, while just over half still have rates of 4% or lower. The supplied title cites 22.1%, while the supplied summary cites 21.9%, so the safest read is that the share is roughly 22%.

For mortgage professionals, the point is practical: the homeowner lock-in effect is still with us, but the pool of owners carrying higher-rate mortgages is getting larger. That shift can affect seller conversations, move-up buyer planning, retention work, and how we explain inventory constraints to referral partners.

Key takeaways

• Realtor.com Research says about 22% of outstanding mortgages now have rates of 6% or higher.
• The supplied summary says 50.6% of outstanding mortgages still carry rates of 4% or lower.
• Roughly 78% of outstanding mortgages remain below 6%, so lock-in is still a major force.
• The 6%-or-higher share rose from 18.0% in Q4 2024 to about 22% in Q1, according to the supplied summary.

Sources

• Realtor.com Research — The Slow Unlock Continues in Q1: 22.1% of Outstanding Mortgages Have a Rate of 6% or Higher

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