Sales of previously owned homes in the United States fell sharply in August, despite mortgage rates plummeting that month. But much more housing demand will likely be unleashed onto the market after the Federal Reserve finally cut interest rates this week for the first time in four years — and signaled more rate cuts by year’s end.

US mortgage rates declined last week to the lowest level since September 2022 in anticipation of Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts, stoking an influx of applications for home purchases and refinancing.

After years of high mortgage rates that left countless would-be homeowners on the sidelines, the tide is finally turning in favor of those looking to enter the housing market. This week, the Federal Reserve slashed its benchmark rate by 50 basis points,