So, here we are, supposedly in late November 2025, and everyone's still obsessing over mortgage rates. Give me a break. We're talking about fractions of percentages here, basis points this, basis points that. It's like watching paint dry, only the paint is money, and it's probably going to cost you a fortune anyway.
They keep saying rates are "trending downward." Oh, really? From what, the stratosphere? We're still hovering around 6% for a 30-year fixed, according to Zillow. Optimal Blue says 6.224%. Forbes Advisor says 6.24%. See? Volatility. Whoop-dee-doo.
Remember when everyone was bragging about their 2% mortgages during the pandemic? Those were the days. Now, according to some "expert," we'll never see those rates again in our lifetimes. Thanks for the vote of confidence.
And what's with this constant blaming of Trump's "policies including tariffs and deportations" for a constricting labor market? Every damn thing is blamed on Trump, even in 2025.
The Fed cut rates twice already this year, and mortgage rates still act like they're glued to the ceiling. We got a tiny dip before their September meeting, and then… nothing. They hand out these little quarter-point cuts like they're doing us a favor, but it's all smoke and mirrors. They don't set mortgage rates directly, offcourse, but they sure as hell influence them. It's all about their balance sheet, apparently. Who the hell even understands that?
I saw one chart from the St. Louis Fed showing rates were at 18% in the 80s. Great, so we should be grateful for 6%? That's like saying we should be happy with a mild case of the plague because at least it's not the Black Death.
They call those low pandemic rates "golden handcuffs," keeping homeowners from moving. More like gilded cages. Sure, you're saving money on your mortgage, but you're also stuck in a house you might not even like anymore. And good luck trying to upgrade when everything costs three times as much as it used to.
And don't even get me started on refinancing. All those fees—origination, appraisal, title search, loan application… It's a freakin' racket. They dangle the carrot of a lower rate, then fleece you with closing costs that could pay for a decent vacation. Current refi mortgage rates report for Nov. 24, 2025
Plus, you need a credit score of 740 or higher to get the good rates. Like everyone just has that lying around.
I heard that you should shop around with multiple lenders. Call banks, credit unions, online lenders... Seriously? Who has the time for that? I'd rather watch reruns of The Office.
It's all a rigged game. They want us to think we're in control, that we can "optimize" our way to a better mortgage. But let's be real: we're at the mercy of the Fed, the economy, and whatever global crisis is trending this week. Just find a place to live, pay what they tell you, and try not to think about it too much. You'll go crazy if you do.
