The Federal Reserve (Fed) on Wednesday did something it hadn’t done in more than two decades: it raised the federal funds rate by 75 basis points, to 1.50-1.75%, a hike not seen since 1994. 

The decision, designed to slow the pace of inflation, which reached 8.6% in May for the highest mark in more than 40 years, has potential to increase the cost of mortgage borrowing.

Fed’s tightening monetary policy started in March, when the FOMC raised rates by 25 bps to 0.25-0.50%, the first time it changed the rate in two years, and the first-rate hike since March 2018, marking an end to the easy money that gave rise to the hottest mortgage market in U.S. history.

Another move took place in May, when the central bank approved a 50 bps increase to 0.75-1%, in conjunction with a plan to shrink its $9 trillion asset portfolio beginning in June.

Last Friday, when the inflation print came out, the market shifted its expectations around how aggressive the Fed would be this week: consensus average was on a 50-bps hike before but increased to 75 bps.

Mortgage rates jumped as a result, with 30-year fixed rates reaching above 6% this week. Just before the Fed’s decision, mortgage applications increased 6.6% from the prior week, according to the latest Mortgage Bankers Association survey for the week ending June 10. 

“Mortgage rates going forward will continue to be responsive to changes in expectations around the Fed’s policy path, as well as inflation expectations,” Ruben Gonzalez, chief economist at Keller Williams, said in a statement. “The housing market is still extremely tight, with inventory levels remaining near historic lows, leaving room for the market to absorb falling demand.”

According to Realtor.com’s chief economist Danielle Hale, because the Fed’s future actions will depend on how economic conditions evolve, the biggest focus will be on the Fed’s July meeting. “It’s not just actual rates that matter, but rates and overall monetary posture against expectations,” she said in a statement Wednesday. 

What does it exactly mean? She explained that if the Fed can manage concerns that they’re moving too fast or too slow, the recent volatility could subside. Conversely, if the Fed comes across as too easy or too harsh on inflation, a new round of volatility can happen, sending rates on a new upwards surge. 

Hale said that with mortgage rates and other long-term interest rates surging before this Fed meeting, we may see “somewhat paradoxically” rates ease somewhat in the days following the Fed’s hike.