Buyers gained leverage as rates and uncertainty cooled urgency, while sellers still priced carefully to attract serious offers in today's shifting US market.
30-yr rates touched the mid-6% range in Early-Q2, then moved into the low-6% range, keeping payment math central for buyers and sellers.
Agent Survey Split
Midwest sellers' markets: 70%
Northeast sellers' markets: 74%
South sellers' markets: 13%
West sellers' markets: 22%
Well-priced homes can still draw multiple offers. Buyers may win repair payments, covered closing costs, or flexible move-in timing in softer markets.
Experts said a turnaround depends on rate stability, steady job growth, and less volatility; improved affordability could support stronger optimism into 2027.

Higher borrowing costs are raising the cost of delaying a purchase, as buyers who wait face potentially larger monthly payments if financing conditions remain elevated.
Home prices are not falling fast enough to offset financing costs, meaning waiting for a cheaper home does not automatically guarantee a lower overall purchase cost.
Buyers still have negotiating opportunities in some markets, particularly where inventory has improved and sellers are competing for fewer offers.
Takeaway: Waiting can make sense for some buyers, but the decision now depends on the full cost of financing, price and negotiating leverage—not rates alone.

Welcome to your dream home in the highly sought-after neighborhood of The Elms at Meadow Vale in Weld county, where the taxes are significantly lower than both the national median of 0.99% and the Colorado state median of 0.55%. This lovely 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath home is perfectly positioned on a corner lot, right across from the community park and mail center. The spacious open floor plan seamlessly connects the main living areas, featuring a bright living room with vaulted ceilings, a cozy fireplace, and large windows that flood the space with natural light. The kitchen is a chef's delight, boasting all new stainless steel appliances, new granite countertops, an island, and a breakfast nook with built-in cabinets. A formal dining room and an additional living area provide ample space for entertaining. Work from home in the dedicated office with elegant French doors. Retreat to the primary bedroom, which offers a luxurious ensuite 5-piece bath with dual sinks, a garden tub, and a sizable walk-in closet. Outside, enjoy a beautifully landscaped yard which is watered through irrigation water which only costs $48/yr with mature trees and a patio. this home has a new A/C system and a new roof as of 04/2024. Conveniently located near grocery stores and dining options, this home offers low taxes and the best of comfort and convenience! Don't miss it, schedule a tour today. Click the Virtual Tour link to view the 3D walkthrough.

Welcome home to this well-kept, Ranch Style, Move-in ready home with a finished walk-out basement in the Brittany Terrace community within Stratford Lakes! A private front courtyard leads inside to a bright, open floor plan with soaring vaulted ceilings and abundant natural light. The living and dining areas are anchored by a striking see-through brick gas fireplace, perfect for cozy evenings. The kitchen offers generous oak cabinetry, a pantry, and a sunny breakfast nook with bay windows. Enjoy easy main-level living with two bedrooms on the main floor. The primary suite features a vaulted ceiling, an arched transom window, a sliding door to a private deck, and an ensuite bath with dual vanity and walk-in shower. The second bedroom also has its own ensuite bath, ideal for guests. The third bedroom is located in the finished walk-out basement which provides a spacious family room, an additional bathroom, and access to a covered patio surrounded by mature trees. In-unit laundry and an attached two-car garage for everyday convenience. This beautiful home has wood stained doors and trim and was owned and occupied by an elderly couple since new, both of whom were non smokers and didn't own pets, making for easy wear and tear and the present condition of the home. The roof was redone in the last 5 years, the deck was redone with Trex in the last 8 years, and the water heater is brand new. The HOA includes everything from the siding out which includes snow removal (not the patio or deck), the roof, gutters, exterior painting, tree trimming, lawn maintenance and water. All for low-maintenance living. Residents also enjoy a clubhouse, community pool, tennis courts, pickle ball court and parks. Conveniently located near shopping, dining, and US-36. Schedule your showing today! Discounted rate options and no lender fee future refinancing may be available for qualified buyers of this home.

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!

We're seeing an interesting shift in the market: across the nation, the median price for newly built homes has dropped to $205 per square foot, now coming in below the $212 per square foot for existing homes. This reversal—where new construction often used to be the pricier option—has appeared in about a third of major US markets. Builders have responded to increased competition by reducing prices and offering incentives, particularly in areas with more available inventory. For those considering a move, this means new homes could be a stronger value than expected, especially in neighborhoods with ample choices and more room to negotiate. As someone who stays close to the pulse of our market, I see this as a reminder that boosting the supply of homes is key to improving affordability. However, it's important to watch for changes in permitting, which could slow down some of this progress.

A central bank official said a severe housing shortage kept rents and home prices high, widening the gap between what many Americans earned and paid.
A homeownership affordability index reached a 21-yr low, and mortgage rates climbed to near 7%, making already record-high prices harder for families to manage.
Key pressures included restrictive zoning, costly regulations, weak productivity in homebuilding, years of underbuilding after the subprime crisis, and inflation in construction materials.
The official said higher rates also created a lock-in effect: many owners kept older low-rate mortgages, limiting listings and adding more pressure.
The official expected further policy tightening, yet a housing economist said buyers could still improve affordability by negotiating asking prices, not focusing only on rates.