The Mortgage Traveler

👍  Why Now Is the Best Time to Buy a Home—Even If the Market Feels Tough If you're waiting for the "perfect" time to buy a home—perfect rate, perfect credit, perfect price—you might be setting yourself up to miss the real opportunity. The truth is, waiting could cost you more than acting now, even in a market that feels uncertain. Let’s break it down. The Cost of Waiting Is Real - 💸💸 A lot of would-be buyers are sitting on the sidelines hoping interest rates will drop or housing prices will correct. But while you're waiting, home values are still creeping up—and so are rents. The longer you wait, the more you'll likely pay later. Here’s what waiting could cost: Home price increases: Even modest appreciation (say 4–5% annually) adds thousands to the cost of the same home a year from now. Higher down payments: A more expensive home means a higher down payment, stretching your budget even further. Lost equity: Owning a home means building equity ...

  🏠 Mortgage Market Update – Key Trends and What to Watch Next Week The mortgage lending industry continues to feel the ripple effects of shifting macroeconomic dynamics, global geopolitical tensions, and changing consumer behavior. This week, several key developments are shaping the conversation around interest rates, lending volumes, and housing market demand. 📊 Federal Reserve Meeting – A Holding Pattern At the latest Federal Reserve meeting, policymakers opted to keep interest rates steady, signaling a cautious stance as inflation remains above the target range. While the Fed acknowledged progress in slowing price growth, they emphasized the need for more concrete evidence before considering rate cuts. Why it matters: Higher-for-longer interest rates continue to impact mortgage affordability, discouraging some would-be buyers from entering the market. Lenders are also seeing tighter margins and reduced refinancing activity due to sustained elevated rates. 💳 Slowin...

  In The News Recap 📈 Inflation & Rates Pulse (June 5–12, 2025) Headline CPI & Core May’s Consumer Price Index rose just 0.1% MoM and 2.4% YoY , slightly cooler than April—driven largely by shelter and food, while energy prices declined ( bls.gov ). Core CPI (ex‑food/energy) was flat +0.1% MoM, slowing from April’s +0.2%, surprising on the soft side . What It Means Markets and Wall Street took it as a green light for policy stability . The Fed seems content holding rates steady into September, while tariff mandates hang in the balance ( reuters.com ). PPI on Deck PPI (Producer Price Index) for May is due June 12. Expectations hover around +0.2–0.3% MoM and +2.5–3.0% YoY. This S&P Global alert frames it as a key indicator for wholesale inflation and Fed policy signals . 🏠 Mortgage Market Update Rates near 7% Freddie Mac reports the 30‑year fixed mortgage rate edged down from 6.89% to 6.85% —a small improvement, but still very high and dampening purchase activity...