The average contract rate on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages for conforming loans of $806,500 or less in the US fell to 6.21% in the week ended January 30, compared to a four-week high of 6.24% in the previous period, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Still, mortgage applications declined 8.9%, extending an 8.5% drop in the previous week, with the winter storm taking a toll. Refinancing applications went down 4.7%, after a 15.7% drop and the purchase index tumbled 14.4% after decreasing 0.4%. “Winter Storm Fern likely had an impact as much of the country was snowed in, hampering homebuying activity. The annual increase in purchase applications was the weakest since April 2025", ” said Joel Kan, MBA’s VP.