The U.S. housing market is projected to enter a period of stability in 2026, marking a gradual recovery from the volatility of recent years. Noted economists largely agree that while a sharp housing crash is unlikely, the market is poised for a “Great Housing Reset”, characterized by slowing home price appreciation, easing mortgage rates, and a […]

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today announced that the baseline conforming loan limit for mortgages acquired by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in 2026 will rise to $832,750, an increase of $26,250 from 2025. The conforming loan limits are required by law to reflect the percentage change in the average U.S. home price during […]

The 10-year Treasury note is a fundraising tool of the U.S. government. Investors buy what is considered a safe, income-producing bond, and the government funds its operations. Does the 10-year Treasury note have anything to do with mortgage rates — and if so, how? What is a Treasury note? The 10-year Treasury note is issued […]

Three metrics that measure competition in the U.S. housing market each dropped to the lowest September level in six years last month. Share of homes selling above list price: 25.3% of homes that sold went for more than their final list price, down from 28.5% a year earlier. Average sale-to-list-price ratio: This metric came in at 98.6%, […]

The typical home seller who did not list on the Multiple Listing Service sold their home for nearly $5,000 less. New research reveals a significant financial impact on home sellers who did not list their properties on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Over the past two years, sellers who transacted off the MLS collectively left […]

In short, no. You probably shouldn’t wait to buy a home until mortgage rates drop more drastically. Mortgage rates are just one part of the affordability equation. You also have to consider home prices, a factor of housing supply and demand. The current housing market is in a crunch. To put it simply, buyers outnumber […]

Mortgage rates had decreased or held steady for nine straight weeks, but they’ve now increased for the second week in a row. In September, the Federal Reserve lowered its rate for the first time in 2025, and while people may have expected that cut to push rates farther down, the opposite has happened. Are mortgage […]

Congress has not passed any appropriations bills this year, so a government shutdown would affect all departments that rely on discretionary funding and whose operations are not deemed essential.  Historically, impacted employees are furloughed and then receive back pay when the government re-opens. However, the Office of Management and Budget instructed agencies this week to start creating […]

The decline in new construction comes as mortgage rates last week fell to their lowest level since October.  The pace of new construction continued to slow in August as falling mortgage rates offer a glimpse of hope for the moribund housing market. The Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development on Wednesday said that […]

The Federal Reserve’s recent rate cut, while anticipated, doesn’t automatically translate into lower mortgage rates. Mortgage rates are complex and are influenced by several factors, including the 10-year Treasury yield, investors’ expectations about the economy, and inflation. This means that even with the Fed signaling further rate cuts, mortgage rates could still rise if inflation […]