With the Federal Reserve's July meeting on the horizon, many prospective homebuyers and homeowners are wondering what it could mean for mortgage rates. After years of relatively high borrowing costs, even the slightest dip could open doors for those hoping to buy or refinance. But the path forward is far from clear.

China is widely expected to leave its benchmark lending rates unchanged at a monthly fixing on Monday, a Reuters survey showed, as signs of economic resilience reduced the urgency for further monetary easing.

Former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers warned that President Donald Trump’s bid to assert control over the Federal Reserve and drive down interest rates could trigger a surge in inflation expectations that pushes up long-term borrowing costs.

With June's inflation reading coming in hotter than the month prior, the Fed is under renewed pressure to maintain its current target range for the federal funds rate. Analysts now see little chance of a rate cut in the near term. That means HELOC borrowers are unlikely to see significant rate drops anytime soon.

Despite the efforts of state and federal authorities, homelessness keeps getting worse, especially in the West and the Northeast.

Interest rate swaps create cash flow stability for borrowers at a lower interest rate than if they had entered into a fixed-rate loan directly. At the same time, lenders are guaranteed to get their payments at the floating market rate.

Mortgage rates on July 17, 2025, hold steady as 30-year fixed sits at 6.625%. Here’s what today’s numbers mean for buyers and refinancers.

High summer’s heat may be making home equity rates sleepy. The average rate on a $30,000 home equity line of credit (HELOC) was unchanged at 8.27 percent for the fifth straight week, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. The average rate on the $30,000 home equity loan barely stirred, moving two basis points up to 8.28 percent.