Wednesday, September 30, 2026 / by Lme Realty Group
If you're trying to buy a home, affordability is probably what keeps you up at night. And as you watch mortgage rates tick up again lately, it’s fair to wonder if you should just hit pause and wait for them to go down.
For now, though, they’re headed the other way. Mortgage News Daily data shows how rates have risen this year (see graph below):
And if you’re wondering why? There are actually a number of reasons.
Mortgage rates are impacted by the situation overseas, economic data, inflation numbers, oil prices, and even decisions from the Federal Reserve (who recently decided to hike their Fed Funds Rate – which often affects mortgage rates too). As Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com, explains:
“The pressure on mortgage rates was here even before the Fed rate hike, and it doesn’t show signs of relenting. . .”
Now, that’s probably not what you wanted to hear. But, it doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can ...
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for buyers, mortgage rates, buying tips, affordability, new construction
Wednesday, July 22, 2026 / by Lme Realty Group
If the first half of this year has left you feeling stuck, you're not the only one. Mortgage rates stayed higher than people wanted. Affordability remained tight. And uncertainty overseas added another layer of pressure nobody saw coming.
That's why so many people are asking the same question: Will the second half of the year be any better for the housing market?
While nobody has a crystal ball, there are a few encouraging signs things could start moving in a better direction. Here's what to watch.
Mortgage Rates Could Be Near a Turning Point
One of the biggest reasons mortgage rates haven't come down yet is inflation. And higher energy prices and uncertainty overseas are at least part of the reason inflation is still elevated. The encouraging news?
Oil prices have already started coming back down.
That may not sound like it has much to do with buying a home. But historically, mortgage rates and oil prices tend to move in the same direction.
Take a look at the graph belo. ...
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for buyers, for sellers, pricing, mortgage rates, housing forecast, affordability
Wednesday, June 10, 2026 / by Lme Realty Group
Data shows inflation is moving in the wrong direction. But before the headlines send anyone into a panic, here's what's actually going on, why it matters for the housing market, and what it means if you're thinking about buying or selling.
Inflation Went Up – Here’s What That Actually Means
The government tracks inflation in a variety of ways. One is something called PCE – the Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index. It measures how much more (or less) people are paying for goods and services compared to a year ago. And just based on your own expenses, you can probably guess which way that’s trending.
That’s the one everyone is talking about right now. Check out the yellow line to see how that’s spiked since February (see graph below). A big driver of this jump is the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has pushed gas and energy prices significantly higher.
Now, you may have noticed there’s a second line. The blue line shows . ...
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for buyers, mortgage rates, affordability, economy
Wednesday, June 3, 2026 / by Lme Realty Group
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):
So, what does this actually mean for you? Let’s break it down.
Mortgage Rates May Remain Elevated
While just about everyone wants mortgage rate ...
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for buyers, for sellers, pricing, mortgage rates, housing forecast, economy
Wednesday, March 18, 2026 / by Lme Realty Group
Mortgage rates have already dropped into the upper 5s twice this year. But after just a few days, they ticked back up into the low 6% range. If you saw that and thought, “Great. I missed it,” you’re not the only one.
A lot of buyers are treating the 5s like some kind of magic number. As if moving from 6.1% to 5.99% suddenly changes everything. And from a mindset perspective, it does feel different.
But here’s the part most people don’t actually run the math on.
The Payment Difference Isn’t What You Think
Let’s say you’re looking at a $500,000 home loan. At 6.1%, generally speaking, your principal and interest payment is roughly $3,030 per month. At 5.9%, it’s about $2,966 per month.
That’s a difference of only $64 a month.
Not $300.
Not $500.
Sixty dollars.
Let that sink in for just a moment.
Yes, over time, that $64 a month can add up. But it’s far from the dramatic swing many buyers imagine when they say th ...
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for buyers, first time home buyers, mortgage rates, affordability
