May inflation jumped, but economists say the details offer buyers a steadier picture
Economists say higher energy costs pushed inflation up, but underlying price pressures were more contained – a key distinction for buyers watching mortgage rates.
Mortgage rates climb toward 2026 highs as inflation pressure persists
The 30-year fixed mortgage rate climbed to 6.52% this week, just below its 2026 peak, while the 15-year fixed rate rose to 5.84%, Freddie Mac reported. Both rates remain below year-ago levels of 6.84% and 5.97%, respectively.
Stabilizing home prices giving buyers a clearer path to purchase
The median home price has stabilized, and mortgage rates have eased enough that monthly payments are more manageable than they've been in years. Realtors can use that shift to restart conversations with buyers who went quiet and help them find negotiating leverage on listings that have been sitting.
Lower Asking Prices Are a Win for Today’s Buyers
If affordability has been the biggest thing standing between you and a home, there's a little good news. Asking prices have started to come down. The typical seller listed their house for a median of $429,500 in May. That’s 2.4% lower than a year ago, according to Realtor.com. On its own, that won'