Mortgage costs have climbed to a 14-month high, with the average US homebuyer now facing a $2,600 monthly payment by late Q3. Even as mortgage rates rose, median sale prices held steady—up about 2% year-over-year to roughly $399,000. That combination has put extra pressure on affordability, which we’re seeing reflected in flat pending sales compared to the previous month and a drop from last year. Mortgage-purchase applications have slipped a bit, and while new listings dipped month-over-month (likely due to the holidays), they remain slightly above the same period last year. Pricing strategy plays a crucial role in this environment: about 21% of active listings made price cuts, and sharper, realistic pricing is drawing attention, while overpricing tends to create buyer hesitation. On the bright side, inventory is showing modest improvement, with active supply up about 2% year-over-year to 1.5 million homes and nearly four months of supply—though we’re still not quite at a balanced market. Having worked on both the mortgage and real estate sides in Las Vegas, I know how crucial it is to navigate these shifts with the right mix of market insight and strategy.
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