Monthly Mortgage Payment Average Continues To Decline

Housing payments have declined for the fifth week in a row, according to new data from Redfin (NASDAQ:RDFN) that found the average homebuyer’s monthly mortgage payment was $2,575 during the four weeks ending Nov. 26, down $164 from a peak of $2,739 last month but up 13% from last year.

Redfin attributed this decline to the continued downturn in mortgage rates from its high of 7.79% in October. Redfin also noted that new listings are up 6%, the biggest year-over-year upswing in over two years.

“Mortgage rates are dropping due to easing inflation and investors betting the Fed will cut interest rates sooner than expected,” said Redfin Economics Research Lead Chen Zhao. “Declining rates, along with a sizable year-over-year increase in new listings, are leading to more favorable conditions for some buyers. My advice for serious homebuyers is to compare housing costs to recent highs instead of long-ago lows. Housing costs are at their lowest level in three months, and it’s unlikely they will drop significantly anytime soon. That makes it a relatively good time to lock in a rate.”