Navigating interest-rate changes can seem daunting, but these areas of the fixed-income market could perform better (or worse) than others.

Kent, the mortgage banker, noted that Fed rate cuts have more impact on credit cards, car loans, and other short-term borrowing than on business and mortgage loans. If mortgage rates stay high, he expects more buyers will ask for adjustable-rate loans, as if betting that rates will fall over the next few years.

The Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate by a quarter-point in response to a steady decline in once-high inflation that angered Americans and helped drive Trump’s election victory.

Mortgage rates, in particular, surged last year to their highest level since 2000 but have since come down alongside inflation. But it's been a bumpy ride back to the bottom in recent weeks. What, then, does this latest Fed rate cut mean for mortgage interest rates? That's what we'll break down below.

These are today's mortgage and refinance rates. Mortgage rates went up in October and have remain elevated so far this month. But they could ease in 2025.

Mortgage rates ticked down from 6.79% last week to 6.78% for a 30-year fixed home loan for the week ending Nov. 14, according to Freddie Mac. "After a six-week climb, rates have leveled off, but overall affordability continues to be an issue for potential homebuyers,

These are today's mortgage and refinance rates. If the Fed ends up keeping rates steady next month, we could see mortgage rates tick up slightly.

Freddie Mac reports the 30-year fixed mortgage rate averaged 6.78% for the week ending Nov. 14 — down from 6.79% last week.