The Carson Team at Philly Mortgage Brokers NMLS #139381

04/28/2026

Home values in the U.S. saw a modest increase from January to February, up 0.3% before seasonal adjustments and 0.1% after. Compared to this time last year, prices are now 0.7% higher overall.

04/27/2026

Who is buying homes right now? The NAR recently released their 2026 profile of buyers and sellers and there is a pretty even mix of income brackets with only one income level taking much of a lead in the percentage of those buying homes. What does this tell us? Homeownership is attainable and not for a select few. Knowing what fits in your budget is the key. That's where I can help. I explore your options and help you identify how those align with your financial goals. Curious how much home you can afford? Drop me a message to connect.

How much do you need to earn to buy a home? From under $50K to $200K+, today’s homebuyers span a wide range of household incomes. What matters most isn’t fitting into a specific category, it’s understanding what you can comfortably afford. That’s where your estimated monthly payment (including principal, interest, taxes, and insurance – aka PITI) comes in.

The right strategy starts with knowing your numbers. Reach out to review your situation and explore what’s possible for you.

04/25/2026

If you are looking for a quiet suburban vibe with more land and square footage, Robesonia, PA is a great option. Nestled in Berks County, Robesonia has a great mix of historic and modern homes. The homeownership rate is high with 87% of the residents owning their homes. Robesonia has a strong sense of community and an extremely low crime rate. If your ideal home is a peaceful retreat with plenty of nature and charm, check out Robesonia. It might just be what you've been looking for.

04/23/2026

Everyone likes a great deal and the ultra-low mortgage rates from 2020 and 2021 were the kind of thing bargain shoppers dream of. But a super low rate is great until its not, until your current home no longer fits your needs. Whether you need a larger/smaller home or need to relocate, there comes a time when you simply need to move. And, odds are you will LOVE your new home even if it comes with a higher interest rate. It isn't always about how low the rate is. And 1 in three current home sellers have discovered this according to a recent survey by Coldwell Banker. The key is making sure that the new monthly payment is within your budget. And the amount of equity the average home has built in the past few years is pretty incredible which should help. If you can afford it and you have a need or want that cannot be met by your current home, it's time to cut ties with your crazy low rate. And if rates drop in the future, you can always refinance. Curious what a new monthly payment might look like if you cut those golden handcuffs? Let's connect to compare your options.

One in three sellers are finally giving up sub-5% mortgage rates. See how families are trading "golden handcuffs" for sanity as the lock-in effect begins to thaw.

04/22/2026

This week, I joined fellow brokers in Washington DC to discuss issues impacting the mortgage industry and access to homeownership. Today, we met with lawmakers to advocate for policies that protect brokers, strengthen communities, and expand homeownership opportunities. I want to thank all of the lawmakers who took the time to hear our concerns. It was an honor to join this powerhouse group of brokers who are fighting for the American homeowner.

04/20/2026

It was a good week for potential buyers last week with the average 30-yr mortgage rates slowly returning to the low 6% range and competition remaining mild. In March 2026, just 18% of homes sold above their list price, down from 21% in March 2025.

National news and local views for the week

04/15/2026

Happy Tax Day! The average tax refund for this year is 11.1%. Put that money to work by helping you buy a home! You can:
1) Put the refund toward closing costs
2) Put the refund toward the down payment
3) Use the refund to lower your rate by purchasing a buy down

If you’re getting a tax refund this year, here’s something worth thinking about.

04/14/2026

April's MBS Highway National Housing Index mirrors the recently released existing home sales report from March: buyers are pumping the breaks. While inventory increased as it typically does this time of year, buyer activity has not followed the usual seasonal upswing. This is likely due to the steady increases in mortgage rates throughout the month of March. The only region to buck this trend was the Mid-Atlantic where buyer activity jumped from 54 to 64.
Home prices nationwide saw a modest increase with the Mid-Atlantic holding steady and all of the other regions seeing increases.
This poses an opportunity for buyers with a combination of more inventory, less competition, and mild price increases.

04/13/2026

How does national debt influence mortgage rates? You'd be surprised. Wars are expensive and the current war in Iran is pushing up our national debt at a time when it was already significantly high at $38 trillion. The larger the country's overall debt, the riskier we look to other countries who might be willing to lend to us. When we appear risky, we have to sweeten the pot by increasing interest rates on the money we are borrowing. Increasing the US Treasury rates pushes up mortgage rates.

Rising U.S. debt could keep mortgage rates elevated by pushing up Treasury yields, adding pressure to home prices, buyers, and homebuilding.

04/11/2026

Havertown, PA is a popular suburb just 9 miles from the center of Philadelphia. With over 30 parks and a vibrant shopping district, Havertown offers the convenience of a town center with the quiet of suburbia. The town is very walkable with access to a variety of public transit options. The town is steeped in history and boasts a popular restaurant scene.

04/10/2026

Two great pieces of news came out for homebuyers this week. Housing inventory is up with 21.2% more new listings in March compared to February. This is typical at this time of year. And mortgage rates dipped nearly 0.10% this week after a temporary ceasefire agreement was brokered in Iran.

National news and local views for the week

04/09/2026

Philadelphia is preparing to increase their monitoring of rental properties by implementing an inspection protocol that will review properties every 5 years to screen for code violations and general health and safety guidelines. This is part of Mayor Parker's housing initiative.

Department of Licenses and Inspections officials shared new details Wednesday during a budget hearing before City Council.