While the Fed doesn’t regulate your mortgage rate, the central bank sets the funds rate to impact the economy. This action indirectly influences the loan rates consumers pay. The Fed kept the key rate near zero during its last meeting, with no forecasted rate hikes through 2023.

Many Americans have been priced out of purchasing a home or making a move for years now amid elevated mortgage rates, sky-high home prices, and squeezed budgets due to inflation.

The impact? It’s been pretty much as expected: a boost for stock market investors and so-so news for savers. But for prospective homebuyers, it’s brought more frustration: Mortgage rates have actually risen in recent weeks. Statewide, the median home price jumped 6.2 percent, to $600,000, as sales fell 3.7 percent.