Washington Post
The wrong people are paying off their mortgages
Friday, September 4, 2026
Homeowners with mortgages carrying interest rates below current market rates are making accelerated payments toward principal, according to mortgage industry data. Financial analysis suggests that borrowers in this position could benefit from maintaining their current loan terms, given the gap between their existing rates and rates available to new borrowers. Mortgage prepayment activity has increased among this group in recent years.
