Mortgage interest rates slipped lower over the past week, settling at the lowest level of 2025, but remaining elevated enough to stifle normal levels of buying and selling in the housing market.

For his part, Lewis says mortgage rates are poised to drop in February, after climbing above 7% in January. “The direction of consumer prices will have the strongest effect on mortgage rates in February. The core inflation rate should decline further, giving bond yields and mortgage rates room to fall, but not by a lot,” says Lewis.

Mortgage rates fell slightly again this week but long-term rates remain in the upper-6% range as the housing market continues to drag, waiting for greater declines.