Rick Veldman at Benchmark Mortgage

06/02/2026

This week’s housing and market signals point to a familiar tension: more opportunity for buyers, but affordability and Fed policy still matter.

NATIONAL MARKET UPDATE

Inventory continued to build, with the number of homes for sale remaining above year-ago levels. New listings also increased compared to last year, giving buyers more choices as the summer market begins.

Listing prices declined year over year for the 19th consecutive week, the longest streak on record. Sellers appear to be adjusting pricing expectations upfront rather than relying on later price reductions, creating more realistic opportunities for buyers.

Mortgage demand continues to show signs of resilience despite affordability challenges. Consumer credit conditions improved in spring, delinquency trends eased, and mortgage demand strengthened as buyers selectively reentered the market.

THIS WEEK'S FORECAST

Markets will focus on Friday's jobs report along with manufacturing and services activity data for clues about economic momentum. Labor market strength remains one of the most important factors shaping Federal Reserve policy expectations. Housing markets continue to benefit from improving inventory and more realistic seller pricing, but mortgage rates remain a key affordability hurdle. Strong economic data could support buyer confidence while also reinforcing expectations for steady Fed policy.

LAST WEEK

Stocks reached fresh record highs last week as investors welcomed signs of easing energy-market pressures and continued confidence in the underlying strength of the U.S. economy.

Bond markets also improved as oil prices moved lower and optimism grew around a potential long-term reopening of key global shipping routes. Investors increasingly focused on economic fundamentals rather than geopolitical headlines.

Economic growth continues to show surprising resilience. Consumer spending remains solid, business investment is accelerating, and corporate profits continue supporting confidence across financial markets.

The week ended with the Dow up 0.7%, to 51,032, the S&P 500 up 0.2%, to 7,580, and the Nasdaq up 0.2%, to 26,973.

Bond yields moved modestly lower as investors responded to improving energy-market conditions and signs of stabilizing inflation expectations. Mortgage rates remain elevated but have generally stabilized in recent weeks.

FEDERAL RESERVE WATCH

Forecasting Federal Reserve policy changes in coming months. Investors see the Fed holding rates steady for now, with any policy changes likely dependent on future inflation data.

Current rate is 3.50%–3.75%.

Visit my website to schedule a call, get pre-approved, or check out my blog.

05/28/2026

Nearly half of Veterans (49%) feel homeownership is currently out of reach, according to a recent survey from NewDay USA.

But many are closer than they think. And you might be, too.

If you’re a Veteran, you probably know the Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan benefit exists – it's been around for over 80 years. What you might not know is what it actually covers. Three misconceptions trip up Veterans the most.

Any one of those beliefs could be holding you back. Let’s walk through all three, so you have the information you really need.

You May Not Have To Put Any Money Down

The potential to put zero money down is probably the biggest perk of a VA loan, but most homebuyers don’t even realize that’s an option. According to the NewDay USA survey, many respondents guessed they’d need to save somewhere between $10,000 and $19,900 before they could buy. That’s years of saving for an upfront cost that isn’t always required.

You May Have Lower Closing Costs

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, with VA loans, there can be limits on the types of closing costs buyers have to pay. That means more money stays in your pocket on closing day – and you have less to save up for before you can buy. The benefit combined with the down payment perk can speed up your buying timeline.

Your Monthly PMI Costs Could Be $0

Unlike many other loan options, VA loans typically don’t require private mortgage insurance (PMI), even with low or no money down. If you take out a conventional loan instead, you could pay $100 to $300 a month in PMI until you hit 20% equity, according to NewDay USA. Over time, that’s a difference of thousands of dollars.

Your BAH & BAS May Help You Qualify for More

If you’re on active duty or if you’re a qualifying reservist, your Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) may count toward income qualification on a VA loan. So, if you were running the numbers without factoring your BAH or BAS in, you could qualify for more than you thought. Both BAH and BAS are non-taxable, so they can help raise the amount you can qualify for.

Bottom Line

VA home loans can put homeownership within reach, and a trusted lender can help make sure you understand the details before you move forward.

If you’re active duty, you’ve served, or know someone who has, connect with a trusted lender who can walk you through whether you’d qualify and what the VA benefit offers. You may be able to buy a home sooner than you thought.

05/26/2026

Now might be a smart time to look at newly built homes.

Builders are motivated to keep their inventory moving, so they’re offering incentives like mortgage rate buydowns and closing cost help to draw in buyers.

It also means they may be more flexible on price. In fact, the median price for newly built homes just hit a five-year low for this exact reason.

Builder perks and lower prices? That’s a combo worth paying attention to.

05/23/2026

“What if I buy… and home prices go down?”

It’s one of the biggest hold-ups some buyers have right now. And honestly, with everything in the news lately, it's easy to see where that's coming from. No one wants to make a big financial decision at the wrong time.

But here’s the part buyers need to see: when you look at home prices over the last several decades, data proves prices usually go up, not down. Yes, there are a few dips in there, but they’re typically small and short-lived.

So, while a few markets are seeing slight declines right now, the bigger trend is clear — over time, home prices almost always rise. That’s why buying a home is generally considered a safe long-term investment (especially if you plan to live there for 5+ years).

Try not to get too caught up in what might happen with home prices next month or next year. Focus on the bigger picture.

Want to talk through what prices are doing in our market? Send over a DM.

Read the full blog article now. The link is in the first comment below.

05/19/2026

Check out this market snapshot video for a recap of last month's housing stats for Grand Rapids. There's great information in here for both buyers and sellers.

If you have any questions about what is happening in the market, please call, text, or email at any time!

I forward to continuing to serve your clients with any financing needs they may have.

05/16/2026

Here’s what housing, markets, and the Fed are signaling right now. Inventory is building, buyers are still active, and rate expectations remain a major focus for the weeks ahead.

NATIONAL MARKET UPDATE

Housing inventory continues to build, though at a slower pace as buyers steadily absorb available supply. Homes are still selling close to last year’s pace, helping keep the spring market active and balanced.

New listing activity remains near its highest level in almost a year, while asking prices continue trending lower. Sellers are increasingly pricing competitively to attract buyers and maintain activity despite broader economic uncertainty.

The labor market continues supporting housing demand, with steady hiring and wage growth helping reinforce consumer resilience. Mortgage markets have also remained relatively stable despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.

THIS WEEK'S FORECAST

Markets will focus heavily on inflation data and consumer spending reports for signals on the direction of interest rates and overall economic momentum. CPI will remain especially important as investors continue monitoring the impact of higher energy prices on inflation trends. While the Federal Reserve is expected to remain patient, softer inflation data could help improve rate stability and support housing demand as the spring season continues.

LAST WEEK

Stocks moved to fresh record highs last week as investors focused on improving labor market data, strong corporate earnings, and optimism surrounding possible diplomatic progress in the Middle East.

Bond yields remained elevated as markets balanced resilient economic data with persistent inflation pressures and ongoing volatility tied to energy prices and global uncertainty.

Despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, economic fundamentals remain constructive. Consumer spending continues to hold up, hiring trends have improved, and corporate earnings remain broadly strong across sectors.

The week ended with the Dow down 0.7%, to 49,609, the S&P 500 up 1.1%, to 7,399, and the Nasdaq up 2.7%, to 26,247.

Bond markets traded in a relatively tight range as investors weighed stronger labor data against inflation concerns. Mortgage rates remained fairly stable, helping support steady housing and refinance activity.

DID YOU KNOW

Asking prices have now declined or held flat for more than six months, a shift that is helping improve affordability and create more opportunities for buyers this spring.

FEDERAL RESERVE WATCH

Forecasting Federal Reserve policy changes in coming months. Markets currently expect policymakers to remain on hold while evaluating inflation pressures, labor market strength, and broader economic resilience. Officials are likely to maintain a cautious approach as they assess whether inflation begins moderating later this year. Note: In the lower chart, the 4.2% probability of change means there's a 95.8% probability the rate will stay the same.

Current rate is 3.50%–3.75%.

05/12/2026

Are you asking yourself this question? ⬇️ ⬇️

05/09/2026

Thinking of simplifying or moving closer to family? Learn the signs that moving makes daily life easier, plus options for downsizing without stress.

https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/en/2026/04/29/stay-or-sell-how-to-make-the-right-call-as-you-age

At some point, as you start thinking about the years ahead, this question tends to come up...

05/05/2026

Lately, mortgage rates have been a bit volatile. And that may have made you second guess your move. But here’s something to put it all into perspective. Even now, rates are the lowest they’ve been in the last 3 Spring seasons.

So, if you want to buy, this could still be a good time to make it happen. Let's chat.

05/02/2026

There’s a lot of uncertainty right now and that’s leading to some dramatic headlines. And if you’re thinking about buying a home, that can make you feel a little less sure about your decision.

A recent study by CNBC asked homebuyers what they’re most worried about, and three themes kept coming up again and again:

🔹 Mortgage rates
🔹 The number of homes for sale
🔹 Home prices

But a lot of what you may be hearing on those is based more on misconceptions. Not facts. So, let’s break it down and separate fact from fiction.

Misconception #1: “I’ll Just Wait, Because Mortgage Rates Are Going To Fall Dramatically”

One idea doing its rounds on social is that mortgage rates are going to drop dramatically soon. So, it’s better to wait to buy.

But is that really what’s expected?

While mortgage rates have come down a bit in the last few weeks, forecasts don’t show a major drop ahead. The most likely scenario is that rates stay somewhere in the low 6% range this year.

And that’s not a big change from where rates are now (see graph below):

Of course, this depends on where inflation and the economy go from here. But, based on what we know today, waiting for a big drop in rates may not work out the way some people hope. As U.S. News explains:

“Mortgage rates aren't expected to change much over the next several quarters . . .”

Not to mention, even with rates where they are today, it’s already more affordable than a year ago. So, even if they don’t change much, it’s still better than it was.

Misconception #2: "There Are Too Many Homes for Sale Right Now”

You’ve probably heard inventory is up. And nationally, it is. The number of homes for sale is 8% higher than this time last year. But that's not a bad thing. In fact, it’s one of the reasons buyers have a bit more breathing room right now.

The problem is the headlines are making something good, sound bad. They’re focusing on how this is the most inventory we’ve had since 2019 or how many homes builders are building. And that can make it sound like the number of homes for sale is rising too far, too fast.

But that’s not what the bigger picture shows.

Data from Realtor (dot) com proves that, even though inventory is up compared to last year, it’s still nearly 14% lower than it was during the last normal housing market (2017-2019):

While it can vary a lot based on where you live, only 9 states have more inventory than pre-pandemic today. That’s a key reason why there still aren’t enough homes for sale to trigger something like the crash back in 2008.

Misconception #3: “Home Prices Are About To Crash”

You’ve probably seen this one, too. The confusion is coming from the fact that some metros are experiencing slight price declines. And influencers are running with that and saying prices are crashing. But that’s not the reality.

Most areas are seeing prices rise, not fall. And that’s because:

🔹 Many homeowners aren’t selling because they don’t want to give up the low mortgage rate they locked in a few years ago. And that’s keeping a lid on how much inventory can grow.

🔹 Since inventory is still below pre-pandemic norms, there aren’t enough homes for sale to cause a price crash.

🔹 And even in markets with more inventory, some sellers are choosing to pull their homes off the market instead of cutting prices.

And those are 3 big reasons prices aren’t headed for a crash.

And even in the markets experiencing mild declines, the drops aren’t enough to cancel out the big gains most homeowners have seen in the last 5 years (see graph below):

That’s not a crash. That’s just prices moderating after a few record-breaking years.

Bottom Line

Online posts are going to make things sound worse than they are. If you want a true, data-bound look at what’s really happening in today’s market, lean on a real estate agent.

Let’s connect so you have someone to separate fact from fiction today.

To read the full blog article or share it with a friend, click the link in the first comment.