This week, the average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. fell slightly to 6.65%, a decline after two weeks of increases and a change from 6.79% a year ago. This trend is seen as encouraging for homebuyers amid a housing market slump. Meanwhile, 15-year fixed mortgage rates rose to 5.89%. Influenced by bond yields and economic factors, this slight mortgage rate decline comes as home sales could potentially rise with increased inventory and stable buying conditions. However, challenges remain as prices remain high—reflecting ongoing difficulty in the housing market.