A 1% drop in mortgage rates could add 5.5 million buyers to the market; rates have already fallen 0.75%. Current rates near 6.25% suggest only a 0.25% further drop is needed to unlock this demand. Experts predict rates around 6.2% in 2026, supporting modest affordability improvements and increased inventory. Median home prices have declined, easing monthly payments. The 2026 housing market may normalize...
first-time buyers
Mortgage demand for new homes rose 3.1% year over year in November but fell 7% month over month. New single-family home sales were estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 755,000 units, down 2.1% from October. Average loan size decreased slightly. FHA loans accounted for 37.1% of applications, with 24% using adjustable-rate mortgages, reflecting buyers' efforts to improve affordability...