Weekly Housing Headlines

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.19% as of Dec. 4, 2025, a decrease from the previous week’s average of 6.23%; mortgage applications decreased 1.4% from one week earlier; Thanksgiving week saw growing inventory, falling prices and a slower pace of sales; mortgage prepayments surged to a 3.5-year high; and several reports predict a healthier housing market in 2026, including Realtor.com which sees affordability improving as income growth outpaces home-price growth.

Mortgage rates dip to 6.19% in second week of easing
Scotsman Guide - 12/4/2025
Mortgage rates have continued their downward trajectory, offering potential relief to homebuyers. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.19% as of Dec. 4, 2025, a decrease from the previous week’s average of 6.23%.

Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
Mortgage Bankers Association - 12/3/2025
Mortgage applications decreased 1.4 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending November 28, 2025.

Housing Forecast 2026: Mortgage Rates Remain Above 6%, but Affordability Improves Modestly
Realtor.com - 12/3/2025
Mortgage rates will continue to average above 6% next year, but affordability will improve modestly as the typical monthly payment falls below 30% of a household's income for the first time since 2022, Realtor.com predicts.

Weekly Housing Trends: U.S. Market Update (Week Ending Nov. 29, 2025)
Realtor.com - 12/4/2025
Thanksgiving brought plenty of housing market trends buyers can be thankful for: growing inventory, falling prices and a slower pace of sales. The gravy on top of all was mortgage rates continuing to slide, falling to 6.23% this week.

U.S. housing affordability poised to improve in 2026
Mortgage Professional America - 12/1/2025
For the first time since the pandemic boom knocked many borrowers to the sidelines, the forces behind United States housing affordability finally look like they could tilt slightly back toward buyers as 2026 nears.

Redfin’s 2026 Predictions: Welcome to The Great Housing Reset
Redfin - 12/2/2025
U.S. homebuyers will start to get some relief in 2026, with affordability improving as income growth outpaces home-price growth. Next year will mark the beginning of a long, slow recovery for the housing market.

Zillow sees ‘healthier’ 2026 as buyers, renters gain breathing room
Mortgage Professional America - 12/4/2025
Economists at Zillow said the housing market appears set for “steadier footing” in 2026 as affordability slowly improve, sales ticks higher and rent growth stays muted in most major metros.

Redfin Reports 15% of Home Purchases Fell Through in October, Up Slightly From a Year Earlier
Redfin - 12/3/2025
Roughly 53,000 U.S. home-purchase agreements were canceled in October, equal to 15.1% of homes that went under contract that month, according to a new report from Redfin. That’s up from 14.3% a year earlier.

Mortgage prepayments surge to 3.5-year high as borrowers seize softer rates
Mortgage Professional America - 11/26/2025
According to ICE Mortgage Technology's latest market data, the single month mortality rate, which measures prepayments, rose 27 basis points to 1.01% in October. That's the highest prepayment level since mid-2021.

America’s affordable housing crisis: Why it’s worse than ever
Scotsman Guide - 12/1/2025
Institutional investors, rising costs and regulatory hurdles are reshaping the housing market — and leaving millions without options.