Economy

What a Fed Rate Cut Could Mean for Mortgage Rates

What a Fed Rate Cut Could Mean for Mortgage Rates

The Federal Reserve (the Fed) meets this week, and expectations are high that they’ll cut the Federal Funds Rate. But does that mean mortgage rates will drop? Let’s clear up the confusion. The Fed Doesn’t Directly Set Mortgage Rates Right now, all eyes are on the Fed. Most economists expect they'll cut the Federal Funds Rate at their mid-September meeting to try to head off a potential...

Mortgage Rates Just Saw Their Biggest Drop in a Year

Mortgage Rates Just Saw Their Biggest Drop in a Year

You’ve been waiting for what feels like forever for mortgage rates to finally budge. And last week, they did – in a big way. On Friday, September 5th, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell to the lowest level since October 2024. It was the biggest one-day decline in over a year. What Sparked the Drop? According to Mortgage News Daily, this was a reaction to the August jobs report,...

What Mortgage Delinquencies Tell Us About the Future of Foreclosures

What Mortgage Delinquencies Tell Us About the Future of Foreclosures

You may be seeing headlines about how foreclosures are rising. And if that makes you nervous that we’re headed for another crash, here’s what you should know.  According to ATTOM, during the housing crash, over nine million people went through some sort of distressed sale (2007-2011). Last year, there were just over 300,000. So, even with the increase lately, we’re talking about numbers...

History Shows the Housing Market Always Recovers

History Shows the Housing Market Always Recovers

Now that the market is slowing down, homeowners who haven’t sold at the price they were hoping for are increasingly pulling their homes off the market. According to the latest data from Realtor.com, the number of homeowners taking their homes off the market is up 38% since the start of this year and 48% since the same time last June. For every 100 new listings in June, about 21 homes were taken off the...

Think It’s Better To Wait for a Recession Before You Move? Think Again.

Think It’s Better To Wait for a Recession Before You Move? Think Again.

Fear of a recession is back in the headlines. And if you’re thinking about buying or selling sometime soon, that may leave you wondering if you should reconsider the timing of your move. A recent survey by John Burns Research and Consulting (JBREC) and Keeping Current Matters (KCM) shows 68% of people are delaying plans to buy or sell due to economic uncertainty. But it may not be for the reason...

Why Buying Real Estate Is Still the Best Long-Term Investment

Why Buying Real Estate Is Still the Best Long-Term Investment

Lately, it feels like every headline about the housing market comes with a side of doubt. Are prices going up or down? Are we headed for a crash? Will rates ever come down? And all the media noise may leave you wondering: does it really make sense to buy a home right now? But here’s one thing that doesn’t get enough airtime. Real estate has always been about the long game. And when you look at the...

Infographic showing real estate as America's top long-term investment for 12 consecutive years, according to Gallup. A bar graph ranks investment choices: real estate (37%), gold (23%), stocks/mutual funds (16%), savings accounts/CDs (13%), bonds (5%), and cryptocurrency (4%). A quote from First American’s Senior Economist explains homeownership’s role in building long-term wealth. Bottom section includes contact info for Paul Garrison, JPAR® Real Estate.

Real Estate Is Voted the Best Long-Term Investment 12 Years in a Row

In a recent poll from Gallup, real estate has once again been voted the best long-term investment. And it’s claimed that top spot for 12 straight years now. That’s because homeownership is one of the top ways to build your wealth, even with home price growth moderating and ongoing economic uncertainty. If you’ve been trying to decide if it makes sense to buy a home today, let’s connect and talk...

Stocks May Be Volatile, but Home Values Aren’t

Stocks May Be Volatile, but Home Values Aren’t

With all the uncertainty in the economy, the stock market has been bouncing around more than usual. And if you’ve been watching your 401(k) or investments lately, chances are you’ve felt that pit in your stomach. One day it’s up. The next day, it’s not. And that may make you feel a little worried about your finances. But here’s the thing you need to remember if you’re a homeowner. According...

What an Economic Slowdown Could Mean for the Housing Market

What an Economic Slowdown Could Mean for the Housing Market

Talk about the economy is all over the news, and the odds of a recession are rising this year. That’s leaving a lot of people wondering what it means for the value of their home – and their buying power. Let’s take a look at some historical data to show what’s happened in the housing market during each recession, going all the way back to the 1980s. The facts may surprise you. A Recession...

Why Today’s Foreclosure Numbers Aren’t a Warning Sign

Why Today’s Foreclosure Numbers Aren’t a Warning Sign

When it feels like the cost of just about everything is rising, it’s only natural to wonder what that means for the housing market. Some people are even questioning whether more homeowners will struggle to make their mortgage payments, ultimately leading to a wave of foreclosures. And recent data showing foreclosure filings have increased is only feeding into this fear. But don’t let that scare...