Author: Jocelyn Minier

In Late-Q3, a listings platform said elevated borrowing costs should persist through 2026, with 30-yr mortgages in the high-6% range and pending listings ↓2.6% yearly.
Inventory offered selective openings: active listings reached 1.41M, new listings ↓7.9% MoM to 356.9K, while the typical monthly payment hit $1.9K, ↑2% yearly.
Home values entered a stabilization phase, not a drop, as limited distressed selling helped prices hold steady and metros showed modest gains or flat metrics.
Recent daily lending measures moved higher as markets adjusted, and economists said weak sales alongside high financial thresholds point toward a soft landing for 2026.
Buyers with flexible timelines may find opportunities as inventory varies by state; determined shoppers should secure pre-approval early, and owners can watch for refinancing openings.

Across the US, price reductions became more common as inventory built and homes took longer to sell, giving buyers more room to compare options.
A data update showed ~42% of listings with cuts, above the normal ~30% to ~35% range, while national inventory also expanded recently.
Homes also spent longer on market, with median days rising from 63 to 70, while the national median price slipped from $449K to ~$440K.
More selection shifted negotiations, but buyers still risked overreaching; stronger leverage did not mean any offer would work in every transaction nationally.
The broader US pattern pointed the same way: more listings saw cuts, supply expanded, and homes took longer to sell than earlier in summer.

Halloween falls on October 31 because the ancient Gaelic festival of Samhain, considered the earliest known root of Halloween, occurred on this day.
In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to praise all saints.
Soon, All Saints' Day incorporated some traditions of Samhain and the evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween.
Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes and eating treats.
Today’s the day to eat candies and sweets to your heart’s content! Happy Halloween!

A housing economist says the condo market is stabilizing after prior weakness, with some metros now seeing condo price gains outpace single-family homes.
Improved affordability is drawing buyers back toward condos, creating a practical option for shoppers seeking lower entry points in active markets today.
Mortgage rates are higher than earlier in 2026, but a housing economist says they remain comfortably below yearly levels for buyers now.
Lower mortgage rates are expected to help more potential buyers qualify and obtain financing, widening access as affordability conditions improve for households.
Buyers should watch condo choices and mortgage qualification closely, because both themes point to more practical paths for entering active markets now.

Mortgage rates stayed above 7% as markets braced for more Fed moves, while Treasury yields pushed borrowing costs higher and kept affordability top of mind.
For buyers planning ahead, a study suggested building rate cushions: half-point within 3 mo, three-quarters by 6 mo, and a full point by 1 yr.
Later-year buyers often gained leverage: typical homes were ~5% cheaper in Early-Q4 than Late-Q2, with fewer competing buyers and more time to negotiate.
With a ~5-mo supply in the prior month, buyers had stronger bargaining power on price, closing costs, discount points, or temporary rate buydowns.
For buyers still waiting, markets recently priced in more Fed tightening, but the longer-term goal remained cooler inflation that could eventually ease mortgage costs.

More inventory gives buyers added choice in 2026, potentially reducing multiple-offer pressure and creating more room for thoughtful property decisions before signing contracts.
Mortgage rates could fluctuate in the low-6% to mid-6% range, so preapproval helps buyers show seriousness while planning monthly payments with confidence.
Higher housing costs and stricter lending make preparation essential: strengthen credit, reduce debt, save extra cash, and budget beyond the down payment.
Inspections still matter: ~6% of buyers purchased without in-person inspections, but proper appraisals and walkthroughs can reduce avoidable closing surprises for everyone.
Closings can face seller breaches, unresolved liens, repair issues, financing denials, or insurance problems, making early research and backup savings valuable for buyers.