The Federal Reserve held its key interest rate steady for the fourth time this year on Wednesday, leaving its benchmark lending rate unchanged at a range of 4.25 percent to 4.5 percent. For homebuyers, this means that mortgage rates are likely to keep hovering around the 7-percent mark for the foreseeable future.

The Fed also forecasted two quarter-point interest-rate cuts over the remainder of 2025, carrying over a prediction issued in March. Two additional quarter-point cuts will be made in 2026, as well as one quarter-point cut in 2027, the central bank said.