Why Small Mortgage Rate Changes Are Creating Big Market Opportunities?

What’s happening in the market

• Mortgage rates are hanging out in the mid to low 6% range on a 30-year fixed loan (around ~6.3%).

• Home prices are basically flat: up only about 2 % year-over-year, and forecasts point to just ~4 % appreciation through mid-2026.

• Inventory levels? At the highest they’ve been since 2016, meaning buyers finally have more to choose from.

• All together: more homes, stable rates, and slower price growth = a shift from a seller-controlled market to a more buyer-friendly one.

Why it matters for you

If you’ve been waiting or watching from the sidelines, here’s what this means:

• More choices: With more inventory, you can be more selective, not forced to accept the first thing that comes along.

• Greater negotiating power: Flat or modest price growth means less fear of being stuck in a bidding war (at least compared to recent years).

• Timing matters: Even small changes in rate or price can meaningfully impact your monthly payment and long-term equity. For instance, a rate bump from around 5.9 % to 6.3 % can add tens of thousands of dollars over 30 years.

• Affordability window: The difference between waiting and acting can be the difference between “I could-maybe-afford” and “I’m in.” Recent analysis shows that if rates drop closer to 6 %, an additional 5.5 million households could become eligible buyers.

What to do next

• Reach out for a personalized market snapshot for your local area, every community is different.

• Get pre-approved now so you’re ready to move when the right home appears. Having your financing lined up strengthens your position.

• Understand that “waiting for rates to fall further” is a strategy, but waiting may cost you in time, competition, or price increases.

• Think of this as your moment: the pieces are aligning for buyers in a way they haven’t for a while. If you’ve been considering making a move, this could be it.