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Articles Tagged: Interest Rates

Mortgage rates approach 7.5% as volatility continues

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Mortgage Interest Rates

Mortgage rates ended another turbulent week just shy of 7.5%, further straining housing affordability and creating uncertainty for buyers and sellers.

Mortgage News Daily estimated the average 30-year mortgage rate at 7.49% on September 25—approximately half a percentage point higher than two weeks earlier. The increase has been driven largely by a selloff in 10-year Treasury bonds as investors remain concerned about inflation and growing government debt.

The direction of mortgage rates could remain uncertain in the coming days. Investors will closely watch new reports on personal income, consumer spending, wages and employment. Signs of a cooling economy could slow the bond selloff and ease upward pressure on mortgage rates. Stronger-than-expected economic data or continued inflation concerns could push rates even higher.

Until the economic outlook becomes clearer, buyers and sellers should expect continued mortgage-rate volatility. Higher borrowing costs will likely keep affordability under pressure and may cause more buyers to delay purchases, renegotiate contracts or reduce their price range.

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What’s next for home prices and mortgage rates?

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What’s Next for Home Prices and Mortgage Rates?

The current housing market appears headed toward slow normalization rather than a major rebound or significant downturn.

Mortgage rates remain in the mid-6 percent range and are likely to stay elevated through much of 2026. Rates could gradually ease if inflation continues to cool, but buyers waiting for a quick return to 5 percent mortgages may be waiting longer than expected.

Home prices are also becoming increasingly dependent on local market conditions. In areas where inventory has increased, buyers have more choices and negotiating leverage, putting greater pressure on sellers to price competitively.

What This Means for Quail Creek

Quail Creek should remain relatively resilient, but rapid appreciation is unlikely in the near term. The individual home matters more than ever. Updated, move-in-ready homes, desirable lots, mountain or golf views, attractive outdoor spaces, and appropriately priced properties should continue to attract buyers.

Overpriced or dated homes may take longer to sell and require price adjustments.

If mortgage rates eventually move closer to 6 percent, buyer activity could strengthen. Until then, expect a more balanced Quail Creek market with greater competition among sellers and better negotiating opportunities for buyers.

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A ‘complicated’ economy:
Why buyers are hesitating in 2026

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The U.S. economy is sending mixed signals right now, and that uncertainty is shaping buyer behavior in a big way. According to Lawrence Yun of the National Association of Realtors, the economy is neither booming nor in decline—it’s somewhere in between.

On paper, things look strong. The S&P 500 has reached record highs, and unemployment remains below 5%. But beneath those headlines, consumer confidence has dropped sharply. Job growth has slowed, and concerns about artificial intelligence and political division are making many Americans uneasy.

Yun describes this as a “K-shaped economy,” where some households are doing well while others are feeling financial pressure. That divide is creating hesitation—especially when it comes to major decisions like buying a home.

This helps explain why the housing market hasn’t seen the surge many expected. Even when mortgage rates briefly dipped earlier this year, buyers didn’t jump in at the levels predicted. The reality is simple: confidence matters as much as affordability.

The takeaway? Today’s market isn’t stalled — it’s cautious. Buyers are watching, waiting, and weighing their options more carefully than in past years.

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Mortgage rates, Fed moves & what’s next for housing

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Mortgage Rates, Fed Moves & What’s Next for Housing

Mortgage rates remain the biggest driver of today’s housing market — and expectations have shifted.

Earlier forecasts suggested rates might average around 6 percent this year. Now, projections are closer to 6.5 percent, with the potential to reach 7 percent if energy prices stay elevated. Global events, particularly rising oil prices, are playing a major role in keeping rates higher.

Even so, Lawrence Yun, chief economist of the National Association of Realtors, does not expect a return to the extreme mortgage rates of past decades. Today’s economy is more energy efficient, which helps prevent the kind of spikes seen in the 1970s.

Meanwhile, the Federal Open Market Committee is under pressure to act. With possible leadership changes at the Federal Reserve, there is growing speculation that interest rate cuts could happen later this year. Yun suggests a potential 50-basis-point cut this summer, though timing will depend heavily on inflation trends.

So what does this mean for the housing market?

Home sales started the year slower than expected, leading to a revised forecast of about 4 percent growth instead of the originally projected 14 percent. Still, demand hasn’t disappeared—it’s just more sensitive to rates and economic uncertainty.

The bottom line: this is a market driven by timing, but not in the way many think. Trying to predict the perfect moment may not be as important as being prepared when the right opportunity appears.
In today’s environment, readiness — not perfection — is what wins.

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Don’t wait for the ‘perfect’ mortgage rate

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Mortgage rates have been easing since late March, and that means more buyers will come back into the market. While it’s tempting to wait for rates to drop further, the reality is they move unpredictably — and small changes rarely make a big difference in affordability.

Waiting can actually cost more. As rates fall, buyer demand increases, leading to more competition, fewer homes, and potentially higher prices. A slightly lower rate won’t help if the home you want becomes more expensive or unavailable.

The smarter approach is to focus on readiness. If your finances are in place and you’ve found the right home, locking a rate gives you certainty and allows you to move forward with confidence. And if rates drop later, refinancing is always an option. Plus, there’s plenty of inventory right now, so it’s a good time to find most of what’s on your home buying checklist.

Bottom line: don’t try to time the market — be ready to act when the opportunity is right.

Filed Under: Market Trends, Tips for Home Buyers Tagged With:

Real estate is still the best long-term investment

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Real estate is still the best long-term investment

With all the headlines circulating about home prices and mortgage rates, you may be asking yourself if it still makes sense to buy a home right now, or if it’s better to keep renting. Here’s some information that could help put your mind at ease by showing that investing in a home is still a powerful decision.

According to the experts at Gallup, real estate has been crowned the top long-term investment for a whopping 12 years in a row. It has consistently beat out other investment types like gold, stocks, and bonds. Just take a look at the graph below – it speaks volumes:Continue Reading

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3 myths that are hurting home buyers and sellers

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Myths about today's market that are hurting buyers and sellers

There’s no denying that it’s a tough market, with challenges for both buyers and sellers. But myths and misconceptions floating around about this market and what’s going to happen next aren’t making things any easier.

So what, exactly, are those myths and misconceptions, and why are they incorrect? Here are some of the common myths in today’s housing market that are hurting both buyers and sellers, including:

Myth 1: Owners with low mortgage rates will never sell.

Many buyers that purchased a home a few years ago locked in record low interest rates on their mortgages. And with interest rates significantly higher today, there’s a belief that those homeowners will never give up their low interest rates and sell. But the truth is, there are a ton of life circumstances that could force a person to list and sell their home — like a new job, growing family, or change in their financial situation — no matter what kind of interest rate they have on their mortgage.Continue Reading

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Infographic: Should I buy now or wait?

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If you’re thinking that waiting a year or two to purchase a home might mean you’ll save some money, think again. Mortgage interest rates are currently very low, but experts across the board are forecasting increases in both home prices and interest rates. Buying a home now means you’ll spend less in the long run.

INFOGRAPHIC: Should I buy now or wait?

Let’s connect to put your home buying plans in motion before home prices and mortgage rates climb even higher.

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Mortgage rates by decade

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Mortgage interest rates have dropped considerably over the past year, and compared to what we’ve seen in recent decades, it’s a great time to buy a home.

Locking in a low rate today could save you thousands of dollars over the lifetime of your home loan, but these low rates may not last forever.

Mortgage rates by decade

If you’re in a position to buy a home, let’s connect to determine your best move in today’s housing market while interest rates are still in your favor.

Let’s connect to determine the best way to position you for a financially-savvy move in today’s market.

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Infographic:
Mortgage rates and payments by decade

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Sometimes it helps to see the dollars and cents you’ll save when you purchase a home while mortgage rates are low. Today’s historic low rates mean it’s less expensive to borrow money, so the savings over the life of your loan is significant.

Mortgage rates and payments by decade

Let’s connect to determine the best way to position you for a financially-savvy move in today’s market.

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Russ Fortuno, Associate Broker

I'm a Southern Arizona native and Quail Creek resident. Whether you’re buying or selling a home in Quail Creek, you’ll experience unsurpassed service and professionalism at all stages of your real estate transaction. I welcome the opportunity to assist in your next home sale or purchase.
Meet Russ

Tierra Antigua Realty

18745 S. I-19 Frontage Rd., Ste. A105
Green Valley, AZ 85614
(520) 333-0446
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