Mortgage rates held steady this week, remaining near their lowest levels in more than a month, according to Freddie Mac.

Interest rates are nearing the neutral level — the rate that neither stimulates nor restrains economic growth — Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome Powell said Wednesday.

While a downturn is expected to come for the housing market, it could be more of a side-step than falling off a cliff, according to the latest Barclays Global Economics Weekly report.

While the housing market perennially decelerates in the winter, it can be a wonderland for potential homebuyers, according to Attom Data Solutions.

If the predictions prove correct, the benchmark rate would reach 3.50% by the end of next year.

While it's normally a time the market slows down for mortgage lenders relative to the rest of the year, this winter shouldn't be used to hibernate, according to Attom Data Solutions.

Confidence among homebuilders plummeted by the most since 2014 as the highest borrowing costs in eight years restrain demand, adding to signs of a cooling housing market that will weigh on the Federal Reserve's debate over how far to raise interest rates.

Bank jumbo mortgage underwriting standards weakened in the third quarter by the most in three years and as profitability remains under pressure, loosening should continue at an accelerated pace, a Moody's report said.

After last week's surge of 11 basis points, mortgage rates held steady due to a dip in energy costs, even with continued stock market volatility, according to Freddie Mac.

The move allows the New York multifamily lender to make more loans without having to raise capital.