The average mortgage interest rate on a 30-year mortgage declined to 5.99% on December 17, 2025, according to Zillow. The median interest rate on a 15-year mortgage is 5.37%. With both options under 5% now, buyers may find today's rates low enough to justify re-entering the homebuying market.

There's good and bad news for home shoppers hoping for lower mortgage rates in 2026 — they're likely to fall more in the new year but shouldn't drop much below 6.0%, if they reach that. But the decrease may help you afford a home .

The December Federal Reserve meeting may lead to lower mortgage rates, but it's not directly caused by the 25 basis point rate cut.

The Fed rate just hit its lowest level in years, but whether mortgage rates fall now depends on a few factors.

NAR identifies 2026's hottest housing markets using job growth, inventory, and rate data. Minneapolis, Jacksonville and Raleigh offer prime opportunities.

Officially, there were 2 days at the end of November where the average lender's 30yr fixed rates were just a hair lower (0.02% difference).  Otherwise, today's rates would be the lowest since late October.

Interest rates have been cut to 3.75%, the lowest level in almost three years, but further reductions are set to be a "closer call", the Bank of England has said. In a knife-edge vote, policymakers voted 5-4 in favour to lower rates from 4% reflecting concerns over rising unemployment and weak economic growth.