Would-be home buyers have faced unprecedented challenges in the housing market in the post-pandemic era as surging home prices combined with high mortgage rates made homeownership unaffordable for many.

Rates for 30-year new purchase mortgages fell again, lowering the average to its cheapest level in six weeks. Rates moved lower for almost every other loan type as well.

These are today's mortgage and refinance rates. Mortgage rates are down slightly today, but where they go next depends on incoming economic data.

"While we may see mortgage rates drop modestly in December, anyone expecting a significant change for the better may be disappointed," says Darren Tooley, senior loan officer at Cornerstone Financial Services. Change likely isn't on the horizon for a few reasons, according to Tooley.

The 30-year mortgage rate is back at 7%. When will rates fall — and by how much? MarketWatch spoke to several economists about their 2025 forecasts. The consensus was that they expect the rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage to drop to a 6.