Today’s Mortgage Market Conditions Current Rate Environment The average U.S. 30-year fixed mortgage rate is ≈ 6.26% (week ended Nov 20, 2025) per Freddie Mac. *1 The national average 15-year fixed mortgage rate is ≈ 5.62% as of Nov 21, 2025. *2 Some lender-offerings for 30-year fixed show ~6.31% average purchase rate according to Bankrate. *3 Affordability & Inventory Though rates have edged down, many buyers remain challenged because home prices are high and monthly payments remain elevated. Housing inventory is improving gradually—but still below what’s typical historically. Overall Tone: A moderate improvement in borrowing cost—but the broader market challenges (price, supply) remain in play. Shape This Week’s Mortgage & Housing News Market Movement The 30-year fixed rate reached a 13-month low of ~6.30% according to the Mortgage Bankers Association (week ended Oct 24, 2025). *4. Refinance applications increased ~9.3% and purchase applications rose ~4.5% that same week. *4. Drivers & Context The dip in rates followed softer-than-expected inflation data, which boosted hopes of a rate cut by the Federal Reserve. Mortgage rates remain tightly linked to the 10-year Treasury yield and inflation outlook more than simply Fed policy moves. Takeaway: Encouraging signals: rates stabilizing (and slightly falling) + rising loan activity. But the big jump in affordability hasn’t yet arrived in many markets. Shape Predictions for the Rest of the Year Interest Rate Outlook Expect the average 30-year fixed rate to hover in the ~6.0 % to 6.4 % range through year-end, assuming inflation remains controlled. If inflation surprises to the upside, rates could drift toward 6.5–6.7%; if inflation softens more strongly, rates might approach ~6.0% or slightly below. Housing Market Trend Forecasts Home price growth nationwide is likely to be flat to modest (+1-3%) by year-end given higher borrowing costs and improving inventory. Inven