U.S. mortgage rates fell for the second straight week. Freddie Mac said Thursday that the average for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages in the U.S. was 6.69 percent, the lowest level since Oct. 24 and a further pullback from last week's 6.81 percent. However, borrowing costs remain well above September levels and real relief from stress may be a long way off. Real estate firm Redfin expects 30-year mortgage rates to remain fairly close to 7 percent throughout 2025.