Mortgage Rate Snapshot (National Averages) - 30-year fixed: ~6.08% – 6.23% - 15-year fixed: ~5.5% – 5.6% - FHA 30-year: ~5.94% - VA 30-year: ~5.70% Trend: - Rates are holding in the low-6% range, near three-year lows. - The weekly Freddie Mac average is 6.11%, essentially flat from last week. Key takeaway:Rates are stable, not crashing. The market is in a sideways holding pattern waiting on inflation and labor data. What’s Moving Mortgage Rates 1) Federal Reserve stance - The Fed has paused rate cuts until more data supports easing. - This is keeping mortgage rates relatively range-bound. 2) Inflation and jobs data - Recent economic reports show: 3) Treasury yields - The 10-year Treasury climbed to about 4.26%, putting mild upward pressure on mortgage rates. Housing Market Data (Latest National Indicators) Sales activity - Existing home sales: +5.1% month-over-month. - New home sales: essentially flat month-to-month. Home prices - National price growth: Interpretation:The U.S. housing market is clearly in a low-growth, rebalancing phase after the rapid appreciation of 2020–2022. Affordability & Refinance Trends - A January rate dip made 4.8–5 million homeowners eligible to refinance. - That pushed affordability to the best level in four years. 2026 Outlook (Current Consensus) - Many forecasts call for mortgage rates around ~6% for most of 2026–2027. - Home prices are expected to be flat to slightly positive this year. - Some regions are shifting from strong seller markets to more balanced conditions as inventory rises. What This Means (Agent Talking Points) For buyers - Rates are stable, not volatile. - Affordability has improved vs. 2024–2025. - Waiting for huge rate drops is unlikely in the near term. For sellers - Price growth is modest, not explosive. - Strategy, presentation, and pricing matter more than timing. For investors - Refi opportunities are returning. - Slower price growth = more predictable underwriting.

The quick takeaway The U.S. economy is cooling but stable, and mortgage rates are volatile, not collapsing. This is no longer a rate-driven frenzy market. It’s a strategy-driven housing market. National Economic Snapshot Inflation - Inflation has eased from peak levels but remains above the Fed’s long-term target. - Progress is uneven, which is why rate cuts are slower and more cautious than headlines suggest. Federal Reserve - The Fed is firmly in a “wait and see” stance. - Cuts are being discussed, not rushed. - The Fed is prioritizing economic stability over housing stimulus. Labor Market - Job growth continues but is cooling gradually. - Wage growth is slowing, which reduces inflation pressure but also caps buyer urgency. Consumer Sentiment - Consumers are cautious, not fearful. - Big purchases are being analyzed more carefully, especially housing. Mortgage Rate Update (What Actually Matters) Where rates are behaving - Rates are range-bound, not trending sharply down. - Daily swings are driven by inflation reports, bond yields, and Fed commentary. - Buyers waiting for “massive drops” are still waiting. Why rates aren’t crashing - Inflation isn’t fully defeated. - Strong employment keeps upward pressure on rates. - Global uncertainty keeps bond markets volatile. What buyers are doing - Buying based on payment comfort, not rate optimism. - Using temporary buydowns, seller credits, and creative financing. - Accepting refinance later, but not betting their life on it. Housing Market Implications (Nationwide) This is NOT 2021 - No panic buying. - No blind over-asking offers. - No forgiveness for bad pricing. This IS a professional market Homes that are: Overpriced homes - Sit. - Get negotiated. - Eventually chase the market down. How Agents Should Position This (Talking Points) For Buyers - “Rates matter less than purchase price and monthly payment.” - “You can renegotiate the rate later. You can’t renegotiate price.” - “This is the most leverage buyers have had in years.”

U.S. Mortgage Rate Update (this week) - 30-year fixed: 6.16% (Freddie Mac PMMS, week ending Jan 8, 2026) - 15-year fixed: 5.46% (same survey) - Context: Freddie Mac shows the 30-year was 6.93% this time last year. - Day-to-day volatility: Mortgage News Daily’s daily index shows ~6.07% for 30-year fixed on Jan 14, 2026, which is directionally consistent with “mid-6%” pricing. Takeaway: Rates are not “low,” but they’re meaningfully below last year’s levels, which is slowly improving affordability—especially when paired with seller credits/buydowns. Inflation Update (latest CPI) - Headline CPI: +2.7% YoY (December 2025) - Core CPI (ex food & energy): +2.6% YoY (December 2025) Takeaway: Inflation is closer to the Fed’s long-run target than it was, but still not fully “mission accomplished.” This keeps the Fed cautious and is one reason rates remain elevated. Jobs / Labor Market (latest Employment Situation) - Unemployment rate: 4.4% (December 2025) - Payroll growth: +50,000 (preliminary, December 2025) - Note: BLS also flagged that October 2025 data were not collected due to a federal government shutdown, which can complicate trend interpretation in late-2025 labor comparisons. Takeaway: The labor market appears to be cooling rather than collapsing—a setup that can allow gradual rate relief, but not necessarily a fast drop. Federal Reserve / Interest Rates (policy backdrop) - The Fed’s Dec 10, 2025 statement emphasized ongoing uncertainty and balancing inflation with employment risks. - Recent Fed commentary reported today (Jan 14, 2026) continues to frame the outlook around inflation moderatingand whether the job market stays stable. Takeaway: The rate path is still “data-dependent.” If inflation continues easing without a sharp labor downturn, the market typically prices in a slow, stepwise move lower—not a sudden plunge. Housing Market Pulse (macro) - Nationally, existing-home sales in 2025 were reported around a 30-year low (~4.06M) with affordability constrained by high prices + ~7% mortgage era hangover, though late-year rate relief helped some activity.

Here’s a clear snapshot of where things stand nationally and how it impacts buyers, sellers, and agents as we head deeper into 2026. 📉 Mortgage Rates - 30-year fixed rates are sitting roughly in the low-to-mid 6% range - Rates are lower than their recent peaks, but still elevated compared to pre-2022 norms - Most forecasts point to gradual easing over time, not sharp drops Translation:Waiting for a dramatic rate collapse is risky. Small improvements may come, but timing the market perfectly is unlikely. 🏦 Federal Reserve & Inflation - Inflation has cooled meaningfully, but is still above the Fed’s long-term target - The Fed has shifted into a pause / data-dependent stance - Future rate moves will be slow, measured, and reactive to economic data Translation:Mortgage rates are unlikely to spike again—but they’re also not racing back to the 4% range anytime soon. 👷 Labor Market & Economy - Job growth is slowing, but the economy remains stable - Wage growth is moderating - Recession fears have eased, but uncertainty remains Translation:We’re moving from an overheated economy into a more balanced one—less chaos, more predictability. 🏡 Housing Market Conditions - Home price growth has slowed significantly - Inventory is improving in many markets - Affordability is still tight, but conditions are more balanced than the last few years Translation:This is no longer a frenzy market. Strategy, pricing, and preparation matter again. 🔍 What This Means in Plain English For Buyers - You can’t rely on rate drops to save a bad deal - Buy based on monthly payment comfort, not headlines - Opportunities exist where competition has cooled For Sellers - Pricing correctly matters more than ever - Homes that are prepared and positioned well still sell - Overpricing = longer days on market and reduced leverage For Agents / Investors - 2026 is a skill-based market - The gap between professionals and amateurs will widen - Education, negotiation, and data win this year -