Weekly Mortgage Rates Remain Unchanged Amid Cooling Housing Market – NerdWallet

The narrative of mortgage rates over the recent months can be likened to a spectator at a thrilling sports match, hesitating to join the game. As we reached the week ending on September 5, these rates seemingly took a moment to catch their breath. If one was to trace the journey of these rates over the past four months, they would witness a significant descent, plunging by more than a single percentage point. This dramatic shift has positioned countless individuals on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating an additional decline before they make their move.

During this moment of stasis, the average rate of a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage remained static compared to the preceding week, stabilizing at 6.27%. For clarity, a basis point can be quantified as one one-hundredth of a percentage point. The absence of significant movement in mortgage rates during this period can be attributed to the week’s shortened duration, compounded by a lack of influential market-moving economic data. It’s noteworthy to mention that this week’s average was computed a day prior to the divulgence of the August employment report.Mortgage rates exhibited minimal fluctuation as the economic landscape awaited fresh insights.

Stepping back to the initial week of May, the mortgage rate scene was markedly different. The average rate on a 30-year mortgage was poised at 7.32%—portraying a stark contrast from today’s figures, more than a percentage point higher, solely four months ago. This downturn in mortgage rates was not timely, given the kickoff of the traditional homebuying season which spans from May through August, began under the weight of rates surging above 7%.homebuying season commencing with such exorbitant rates posed a formidable barrier for potential buyers, already beleaguered by the challenges of finding affordable homes. Consequently, even as mortgage rates started their descent below 7% in June, and continued their downward trajectory, the market’s transactional fervor remained tepid at best.

This summer, the housing market took what could be metaphorically described as a ‘dirt nap’, showcasing an inertia uncharacteristic of its usual dynamism. To understand the depth of its slumber, one might examine two different reports of existing home sales spaced five years apart. For instance, in July 2019, homes exchanged ownership at a 5.43 million annual rate, as per the National Association of Realtors. Fast forward to July 2024, and this figure plummeted to 3.95 million, culminating in a 27% decrease. This stark decline is a testament to a market encased in frost, with sellers hesitating to list their properties and buyers adopting a more circumspect approach, all in anticipation of a more favorable mortgage rate landscape.

According to analysis from Realtor.com concerning August sales, “the housing market witnessed a significant deceleration as both buyers and sellers adopted a wait-and-see posture, hopeful for the advent of lower mortgage rates.” This patience can also be seen in sellers, who under the pressure of unsold properties, have begun adjusting their expectations and price points to align more realistically with market conditions. Concurrently, it’s plausible that a portion of potential buyers have opted to sideline themselves, deferring their purchasing decisions in anticipation of further rate reductions.

Forecasts from esteemed organizations such as Fannie Mae and the Mortgage Bankers Association have ignited a beacon of hope, projecting that mortgage rates may recede by roughly half a percentage point by the second quarter of 2025. Such prognostications could indeed be the melody that serenades both sellers and buyers into next year’s homebuying season, creating an environment ripe for engagement and activity.