Mortgage rates dip to 6.6% to mark the lowest level since May 2023

Didier Malagies • January 19, 2024


Mortgage rates continued their descent this week to mark their lowest level since May 2023, welcome news for homebuyers who have been waiting on the sidelines for rates to drop.


The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.6% as of Jan. 11, a decrease from last week’s 6.66%, according to Freddie Mac‘s Primary Mortgage Market Survey released on Thursday. 


The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5.76% this week, down from 5.87% the prior week.


HousingWire’s Mortgage Rates Center showed Optimal Blue’s average 30-year fixed rate on conventional loans at 6.709% on Thursday, up from 6.66% recorded at the same time last week.


“This is an encouraging development for the housing market and in particular first-time homebuyers who are sensitive to changes in housing affordability. However, as purchase demand continues to thaw, it will put more pressure on already depleted inventory for sale,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. 

Housing starts declined 9% in 2023, an indication that homebuyers looking to purchase a new construction home may continue to struggle with the lack of inventory this year.


With mortgage rates continuing their downward trend last week with softer inflation readings  – the so-called core consumer price index that excludes volatile food and energy prices – pulling them lower, mortgage demand was up in the week ending Jan. 12 compared to a week earlier.


“Mortgage applications jumped more than 10% as a result, with solid increases for both refinances and home purchases. The continuing decline in mortgage rates is promising for households looking to buy a home in the coming months,” said Bob Broeksmit, Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA’s) president and CEO.


Purchase apps increased by 9% from one week earlier on a seasonally adjusted basis, and refis were up 11% in the same period.


This week, December’s retail sales report showed strong consumer spending even after adjusting for holiday spending and inflation as policy makers mull rate cuts. 


Eyes on the Fed’s rate cut timeline


After the Federal Reserve began its restrictive monetary policy in March 2022, officials anticipated at least three rate cuts in 2024 at their December meeting. The Fed next meets on Jan. 30-31.

According to projections from central bank officials, rates would be slashed to a median 4.6% by the end of 2024 from the current federal funds rate range of 5.25%-5.5%.


More than 57% of investors have priced in at least a quarter-point cut in March, according to the CME Group’s FedWatch tool. That is down from 67% last week and roughly 71% about a month ago. 

Fed Governor Christopher Waller advocated moving carefully with lowering interest rates while acknowledging that cuts are likely this year. 



“When the time is right to begin lowering rates, I believe it can and should be lowered methodically and carefully,” Waller said in prepared remarks at the Brookings Institution on Tuesday. 

“In many previous cycles … the FOMC cut rates reactively and did so quickly and often by large amounts. This cycle, however, … I see no reason to move as quickly or cut as rapidly as in the past,” he added.



Have A Question?

Use the form below and we will give your our expert answers!

Reverse Mortgage Ask A Question


Start Your Loan with DDA today
Your local Mortgage Broker

Mortgage Broker Largo
See our Reviews

Looking for more details? Listen to our extended podcast! 

Check out our other helpful videos to learn more about credit and residential mortgages.

By Didier Malagies December 1, 2025
✅ Why mortgage rates can rise even when the Fed cuts rates Mortgage rates don’t move directly with the Fed Funds Rate. Instead, they are primarily driven by the 10-year Treasury yield and investor expectations about inflation, recession risk, and future Fed policy. Here are the main reasons this disconnect happens: 1. Markets expected the rate cut already If investors already priced in the Fed’s cut weeks or months beforehand, then the cut itself is old news. When the announcement hits, mortgage rates may not fall—and often rise if the Fed hints at fewer future cuts. 2. Fed cuts can signal economic trouble Sometimes the Fed cuts because the economy is weakening. That can cause: Investors to worry about higher future inflation, or A “risk-off” move where money leaves bonds Both of these drive the 10-year yield UP, which pushes mortgage rates UP even though the Fed cut. 3. Bond investors wanted a bigger cut If markets expect a 0.50% cut but the Fed only delivers 0.25%, that’s seen as “too tight.” Result: 10-year yield jumps Mortgage rates move higher 4. Fed messaging (“forward guidance”) matters more than the cut Example: The Fed cuts today, but says: “We may need to slow or pause future cuts.” That single sentence can raise mortgage rates, even though short-term rates just went lower. 5. Inflation surprises after the cut If new inflation data comes in hot after a Fed cut, the bond market panics → yields go up → mortgage rates go up. Quick summary Fed Cuts Rates Mortgage Rates Move ✔ Expected or priced in Can rise or stay flat ✔ Fed hints at fewer future cuts Often rise ✔ Inflation remains sticky Rise ✔ Economy looks unstable Rise ❗ Only when 10-year yield falls Mortgage rates fall tune in and learn https://www.ddamortgage.com/blog didier malagies nmls#212566 dda mortgage nmls#324329
By Didier Malagies November 28, 2025
 New conforming loan limits increase to $832,750, which is great considering we have had price decreases on homes this year. So if you put down 3% the purchase price would be $858,051, and 5% down would be $876,578. Why would that matter? Well, you go above, and you are in Jumbo territory, where you have to put 20% down vs the 3% or 5% down. So, really great news that there is an increase, and when rates do come down, there will be all the homeowners who have the low interest rates, probably make a move to either downsize or upsize on their home, which will create activity and an increase in home prices. So overall, exciting to see the loan amounts increase to help offset the higher home prices tune in and learn https://www.ddamortgage.com/blog didier malagies nmls#212566 dda mortgage nmls#324329
By Didier Malagies November 24, 2025
This is a subtitle for your new post
Show More