Monthly Housing Payments Drop 5% as Mortgage Rates Hit Three-Year Low

Rocket Companies Inc. has reported that monthly housing costs in the U.S. have started the year with a notable decline, offering some relief to homebuyers. According to Redfin, the real estate brokerage powered by Rocket, the median U.S. monthly housing payment fell to $2,413 during the four weeks ending January 11, marking a 5.5% decrease from a year earlier—the largest drop since October 2024. This decline is attributed to falling mortgage rates, with the daily average 30-year fixed mortgage rate dropping to 5.99%, its lowest level in nearly three years. The decrease in rates follows federal actions to buy $200 billion in mortgage bonds. As a result, housing demand indicators such as mortgage-purchase applications and online searches for homes have seen notable increases, suggesting that buyers are becoming more active in anticipation of heightened competition in the spring. Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. Rocket Companies Inc. published the original content used to generate this news brief via Business Wire (Ref. ID: 20260115560120) on January 15, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. © Copyright 2026 - Public Technologies (PUBT)