Mortgage rates dipped slightly due to trade tensions, with a 30-year rate at 6.27% and a 15-year rate at 5.52%. The 10-year Treasury yield, fluctuating amid US-China trade issues, impacted rates. However, ongoing government shutdown delays economic data releases, affecting mortgage rates and home sales.

Uncertainty from the shutdown led to low mortgage rates but slow home sales this fall. Mortgage applications to buy dropped 3%, while refinances were down 1%. Economic uncertainty, including the shutdown effects, likely caused the decline, according to MBA President and CEO Bob Broeksmit.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Mortgage rates moved lower this week but remain stuck in a narrow range