Mortgage rates fell for the first time in five weeks, offering home buyers a modicum of relief from stubbornly high borrowing costs. The drop in rates comes as the financial markets digest new information about the direction of the U.

Here's what experts say homebuyers can realistically expect to happen with mortgage rates in the coming months.

Mortgage rates drop slightly nationwide as 30-year fixed hits 6.97%. See what today’s averages mean for buyers.