New York, Jan 22, 2026, 13:17 EST — Regular session
Shares of Opendoor Technologies Inc edged up roughly 1.7% to $6.59 in Thursday afternoon trading, after hitting an intraday high of $6.78. The stock gained 11 cents on volume of about 25.6 million shares.
The shift brings borrowing costs back into the spotlight for online homebuyers. Opendoor’s “iBuyer” approach means it buys homes outright and flips them, so changes in mortgage rates directly affect demand, pricing flexibility, and inventory carrying expenses.
This is crucial now as rate data shifts in tiny increments, settling at levels investors haven’t encountered recently. For a company reliant on increased transactions without sacrificing margin, even a handful of basis points can shift the outlook.
Wednesday’s Mortgage Bankers Association survey showed the average contract rate on 30-year fixed conforming loans ticked down slightly to 6.16% from 6.18%. Joel Kan, the MBA’s vice president and deputy chief economist, noted this marks the lowest 30-year fixed rate since September 2024. The report also highlighted refinance activity hitting its highest level since September 2025. (MBA)
Freddie Mac’s latest weekly average for the 30-year fixed mortgage rate inched up to 6.09% from 6.06% the previous week, yet it still hovered near a three-year low, an AP report said. The 10-year Treasury yield, which often influences mortgage rates, was about 4.27% at midday Thursday, climbing from 4.17% a week earlier. (AP News)
For Opendoor, investors see this mix as a crucial test: can easing financing costs and a slight uptick in buyer demand boost resale margins, or will the market remain hampered by scarce supply and cautious buyers? The company also vies for both attention and customers against traditional agents and online housing platforms, where rate changes can swiftly alter activity.
But the situation works both ways. Should yields continue rising or mortgage rates climb again, demand could drop quickly, pushing resale timelines longer. That leaves home-flippers vulnerable to price drops and steeper carrying costs in a sector already heavy on capital.
Traders are now eyeing the next Freddie Mac mortgage-rate release on Jan. 29 to see if the recent rate drift is gaining real traction. (FRED)
