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With mortgage rates holding steady above 7%—the 30-year fixed currently sitting at 7.12%—it’s understandable to feel cautious about making a move. Inflation and recent Fed decisions have kept rates elevated, but there’s more to the story for buyers this fall. We’re seeing home prices drop about 5% compared to summer, and a slower market with…

We know firsthand how tight lending standards have become, with home sales sitting near a 31-year low—something we see affecting families across our KC communities. High mortgage rates and rising costs are real hurdles, especially for those working hard to qualify. While new credit scoring models that count rent and utility payments are a welcome…

As we guide our clients through the path to homeownership, we’re always focused on the factors that shape affordability. Across the U.S., what really matters isn’t just one thing, but the way lower mortgage rates, steady income growth, and a slowdown in home-price increases work together to create opportunities. The affordability index takes a close…

We know how important it is to have clarity when planning your next move—whether you’re buying your first home, investing, or considering a refinance. Right now, mortgage rates are holding steady near 7%, and unless inflation eases enough to shift the Fed’s approach, we may see these rates persist through the end of the year.…

With mortgage rates holding above 7% and the market watching closely for the Fed’s next steps, many future homeowners are feeling the squeeze on affordability. At KC Mortgage Duo, we’ve seen how higher Treasury yields can affect borrowing costs—but also how being informed can strengthen your position. A recent study suggests that if you’re planning…

Buying a home in the current market can feel daunting—especially with mortgage rates hovering near 6%. Compared to 2021, that’s a 33% reduction in purchasing power, making every dollar count more than ever. We’ve seen firsthand how factors like credit scores, private mortgage insurance, and overall debt can shape your monthly payment and long-term costs.…

When it comes to making that first move toward homeownership, understanding your down payment options is key. In 2025, we saw the median down payment for U.S. homebuyers land at 19%. For first-timers, it averaged around 10%, while repeat buyers typically put down 23%. The type of loan you choose can impact these numbers—some programs…

Forecasting mortgage rates is always a key concern for anyone considering homeownership, and we know how important it is to make sense of the numbers. Recent data-driven projections show that mortgage rates, which track closely with the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield, are likely to hover around 6% through 2027. If the economy manages a gentle…

We’re seeing a noticeable shift in the housing market: 20.4% of active listings have reduced their prices. This past Mid-Q3, homes going under contract dipped by less than 1% year-over-year, breaking an eight-month streak of steady gains. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate reached nearly 6.7% early in the quarter, stayed high for several weeks,…

The recent Fed rate hikes have truly shifted the landscape for anyone hoping to buy or sell a home. With the central bank’s benchmark rate climbing to around 4% and 30-year mortgage rates approaching 7%, affordability has changed almost overnight. These higher rates have trimmed buyers’ purchasing power, meaning fewer people qualify and sellers often…