02/03/2026
There’s a lot of noise in the headlines right now with regards to mortgages. Here’s the real story, in simple terms and how it impacts your buyers and sellers.
📈 Home Prices Just Had Their Best Month in Over a Year
Sounds dramatic, right? Here’s the context:
• January posted the strongest monthly price growth in 12+ months
• Zoom out, and prices are still rising year-over-year
• But growth is happening at the slowest pace since the financial crisis
Translation:
Prices are at all-time highs, but they’re rising more calmly and sustainably.
• 👉 Sellers still have equity
• 👉 Buyers aren’t chasing runaway appreciation
• 👉 Negotiations are back in play
This is a healthy market — not a frenzy, not a freeze.
📉 Mortgage Rates: Less Chaos, More Stability
After some volatility earlier this month, rates are now settling into a range.
• Small dips sparked a bump in refinance activity
• But zooming out, refi’s are still historically low
• Most refi activity is from buyers who purchased in the last few years at higher rates
📊 The Big Picture (This Is the Part to Remember)
• Prices are holding
• Equity remains strong
• Rates are volatile week-to-week, but not breaking higher
• Buyers have more clarity than they did last year
• Sellers still have leverage — just not blind leverage
This market rewards preparation and strategy, not waiting.
📅 What Could Move the Market this Week?
This week is one of the most important data weeks of the month, capped by Friday’s jobs report — the single biggest driver of mortgage rate movement.
Rates could move.
They also might not.
🤝 How we’re Helping Buyers Win Right Now
If you have clients who are:
• Unsure about timing
• Confused by headlines
• Focused on payment strategy more than rate
Loop me in early. The conversations we’re having before showings are making the difference.
