Despite the increase in rates, some home buyers were returning to the market, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. The market composite index — a measure of mortgage a

When the Federal Reserve lowered its benchmark interest rate by half a percentage point in September, it wasn't a particularly surprising move. At that point, the Fed was expected to make its first rate cut of the year in response to cooling inflation.

Mortgage rates fell slightly in the week ending Nov. 14, marking the first time weekly rates have gone down since September. The average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped