Mortgage Rates in the US Decline for First Time in Three Weeks

Mortgage rates in the US resumed their downward path, falling for the first time in three weeks.

The average for 30-year, fixed loans was 6.3%, down from 6.34% last week and back to where it had landed on Sept. 25, data from Freddie Mac show.

Rates are significantly lower than they were at midyear. While that gives house hunters more buying power, they’ve been treading cautiously, held back by affordability challenges and concerns over where the economy might be headed.

The federal government shutdown adds another layer of stress for consumers. Roughly one in six Americans are delaying major ...