Mortgage rates have fallen in the past week, including 15-year fixed, 30-year fixed, and 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgages, with average rates now between 6% and 7%. Despite this, the end-of-year slowdown in the mortgage market means the impact on holiday home shopping will likely be minimal. However, if rates stay low, demand could rise in January. Factors such as Federal Reserve policy, inflation, and economic conditions have influenced the rate drop.