Why the existing-home market may be turning a corner If you’ve been watching the housing market lately, you’ve probably noticed the same theme: lots of uncertainty, fewer listings than normal, and buyers and sellers trying to “wait out” higher rates. A recent outlook suggests that may finally be changing. With mortgage rates stabilizing and mortgage … Read more
A steadier rate environment is changing the tone for 2026 After a few years of whiplash—sharp rate jumps, hesitant buyers, and owners clinging to ultra-low mortgages—2026 is opening with a more confident housing market. According to recent reporting from HousingWire, mortgage rates and mortgage “spreads” (the gap between mortgage rates and benchmark Treasury yields) have … Read more
A personal reminder that housing policy is personal Every year around Martin Luther King Jr. Day, many of us reflect on Dr. King’s legacy in education, voting rights, and employment. But one of his most direct, day-to-day impacts on American families came through his fight for fair housing and equal access to homeownership. A recent … Read more
A Silicon Valley Listing Broke the Internet (and the Price Ceiling) Redfin just revealed its most popular home of 2025—and the numbers are a wake-up call for anyone thinking about making a move. A remodeled, 5-bedroom, 3.5-bath Spanish-style home in Silicon Valley pulled in nearly 35,000 views in a single day, went under contract immediately, … Read more
What Today’s Inflation Report Means for Mortgage Rates Today’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) report showed inflation running slightly cooler than expected for December. Under normal circumstances, that might spark an immediate drop in mortgage rates. But this report comes with a major caveat: recent data has been affected by statistical distortions tied to the government … Read more
Home insurance is rising fast — and it’s changing the true cost of homeownership If your home insurance bill has crept up year after year, you’re not imagining it. Recent analysis cited by ICE shows U.S. home insurance costs increased by roughly 89% between 2014 and 2025. That’s a dramatic jump that’s reshaping monthly housing … Read more
Why housing feels “stuck” right now If you’ve been watching the market and thinking, “Where did all the homes go?” you’re not imagining it. Over the past few years, the biggest challenge hasn’t been a lack of buyers—it’s been a lack of sellers who can afford to move. Millions of homeowners locked in mortgages between … Read more
Mortgage rates just dipped below 6%—why that matters right now Mortgage rates have finally broken a barrier many buyers and homeowners have been watching for years. According to Redfin, the daily average mortgage rate fell to 5.99% on January 9—the first time it’s been under 6% in nearly three years—after President Trump ordered a $200 … Read more
What the latest jobs report signals for mortgage rates The newest jobs report is a bit of a “steady as she goes” moment for the housing market. Hiring wasn’t strong enough to suggest the economy is overheating, and layoffs weren’t high enough to raise alarm bells. That kind of low hire–low fire backdrop typically means … Read more
What the Government’s $200B Mortgage Bond Purchase Means for Mortgage Rates A recent announcement says the federal government will buy an additional $200 billion in mortgage-backed securities (mortgage bonds) beyond its normal activity. The goal, according to the news, is to help bring mortgage rates down—potentially nudging them closer to around 6%. Mortgage bonds are … Read more
