Rick Veldman at Benchmark Mortgage

06/23/2026

Check out this market snapshot video for a recap of last month’s housing stats for Grand Rapids. Curious about market stats for another city? 🏙️ Click the video and use the drop-down menu to select a different location.

There’s helpful information in it for both buyers and sellers. 💰

If you have any questions about what’s happening in the market, please reach out to me anytime.

https://usherpa.com/loanofficer/membercontent/localhousingvideo/abcec3b8-d6f9-4254-956a-3515e82c11ca?msaLocationId=64

06/20/2026

Moving this summer? Whether you're buying or selling, you probably have questions.

My new Summer Buyer & Seller Guides have the answers.

Inside, you'll find out what higher inventory means for you, what’s going on with affordability right now, what strategies for buying or selling are actually working this season, and more.

Stop guessing and start moving forward with confidence. DM or drop a comment with "BUYER" or "SELLER" below to get your free digital copy.

06/16/2026

Moving this Summer, and not sure where to start? The new Summer Guides for buying or selling a home have your answers. For your free digital copy, leave a comment below or message me.

06/13/2026

If the housing market feels confusing right now, you’re not alone. Mortgage rates have risen. Home sales haven't picked up like expected. And many buyers and sellers are wondering when things are going to feel easier or be more affordable.

The truth is: a lot changed over the first half of this year.

Back at the end of 2025, economists were forecasting a much stronger housing market for 2026. They expected mortgage rates to come down, affordability to improve more dramatically, and home sales to rebound.

But lingering inflation, economic uncertainty, and growing geopolitical tensions overseas pushed mortgage rates higher than expected. And because rates stayed elevated for longer, many buyers continued to hold off.

That’s why experts recently revised their housing forecasts for the rest of the year (see graph below).

Read the rest of this blog article now. Click the link in the first comment.

06/09/2026

This week’s market focus is clear: inflation data, consumer sentiment, and the Fed outlook could shape expectations heading into summer.

NATIONAL MARKET UPDATE

Inventory continued to exceed, year-ago levels, giving buyers more options even as the pace of growth has slowed. Homes are now selling at the same pace as a year ago, signaling that buyer demand remains steady despite affordability challenges.

Asking prices declined for the 20th consecutive week compared to a year ago, extending a trend of sellers adjusting expectations and pricing more competitively from the start. This shift is helping keep the market moving even as mortgage rates remain elevated.

Investor home purchases fell 6% in the first quarter, reaching their lowest level since 2020. Fewer investor purchases may create additional opportunities for owner-occupant buyers competing for available homes.

THIS WEEK'S FORECAST

CPI, CONSUMER SENTIMENT, FED OUTLOOK…

Markets will focus on upcoming inflation data and consumer sentiment readings for clues about the economy’s direction and future interest rate policy. Investors will be watching closely for signs that price pressures are easing. Housing inventory continues to improve and buyer demand remains steady, but mortgage rates remain a key affordability challenge. Inflation data will likely play a major role in shaping market expectations heading into summer.

REVIEW OF LAST WEEK

JOBS JOLT MARKETS…

Stocks fell sharply last week as a stronger-than-expected jobs report pushed Treasury yields higher and reduced expectations for near-term interest rate relief.

Bond yields climbed as investors reassessed the outlook for monetary policy following evidence of continued labor market strength. Markets reacted to the possibility that elevated interest rates could remain in place longer than previously anticipated.

Despite the market pullback, economic fundamentals remain solid. Employment growth continues to support consumer spending, while housing demand has remained steady even as mortgage rates stay elevated.

The week ended with the Dow down 1.4%, to 50,867, the S&P 500 down 2.6%, to 7,384, and the Nasdaq down 4.2%, to 25,709.

Bond markets sold off as Treasury yields moved higher following the jobs report. Mortgage rates also edged up, reinforcing affordability challenges for some prospective homebuyers.

DID YOU KNOW...

Investor home purchases fell 6% in the first quarter, reaching their lowest level since 2020. With fewer investors competing for homes, some buyers may find less competition in today’s market.

FEDERAL RESERVE WATCH

Forecasting Federal Reserve policy changes in coming months. Strong labor market data has tempered expectations for near-term rate relief, reinforcing the Fed’s cautious approach to policy changes. Note: In the lower chart, the 2.0% probability of change means there’s a 98.0% probability the rate will stay the same.

Current rate is 3.50%-3.75%.

06/06/2026

Affordability is still one of the biggest questions buyers are asking right now, but the full picture may not be as one-sided as the headlines make it seem.

https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/en/2026/05/27/the-truth-about-affordability-today?a=153581-18a875f04419582c8751353b3b2f4f0e

Let's be real with each other for a second about affordability.

06/05/2026

Stuck deciding whether to buy now or wait? Waiting too long could cost you a sizeable nest egg. Buying your first home at 30 (instead of 40) could give you $119,000 more in net worth by age 50.

Wondering if now’s your moment? Let’s chat.

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.