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The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage in the U.S. slightly dipped to 6.78% for the week ending Nov. 14, barely changed from 6.79% a week prior, according to Freddie Mac data via the Federal Reserve. "Even though it’s higher than it has been over the course of several weeks, it’s probably good news for homebuyers," said Jessica Lautz, deputy chief economist and vice president of research at the National Association of Realtors®. "When rates are moving around a lot, it makes a lot of uncertainty in the market," Lautz said. Experts say that mortgage rates might head into a "bumpy" or "volatile" path over the next year. "I don't think that there's going to be any huge swings down into the 5% range," Lautz said. "Our expectation is that rates are going to be in the 6% range as we move into 2025," she said. Rates that are trending lower can present an opportunity for buyers who have been house hunting for a while, especially as the winter season kicks in. Competition tends to slow down in the winter months in part because homebuyers with children are in the middle of the school year and reluctant to move, Lautz said.