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Market Recap - March 21, 2025 The spring homebuying season is here, and you may have more opportunity than you think. Mortgage rates for well-qualified buyers are now around 6.72 percent, the lowest in four months. FHA and VA loans are even more attractive - nearing 6 percent - and may dip further soon. What the Fed Said This Week At its latest meeting, the Federal Reserve held interest rates steady. But there was a key shift: ? The Fed confirmed it’s slowing monetary tightening ? It’s resuming bond purchases, which supports lower mortgage rates ? It still expects two rate cuts this year, despite slightly higher inflation projections That means policymakers believe current rates are too restrictive. While moving cautiously, they’ve made it clear: cuts are coming. What That Means for You The market feels calm... for now. But if rates drop and the media jumps on it, buyers will rush back in. Competition will heat up fast. Act now and stay ahead. Sellers are still negotiating, and prices haven’t started climbing again. Why Prices Keep Going Up Even with high rates, home prices haven’t fallen. The number of homes for sale hasn’t kept up with demand. Each year, the U.S. adds about 1.8 million households, but only builds around 1.45 million homes. Plus, we’re still making up for years of underbuilding after the Great Recession. Low inventory means prices will likely keep rising, especially as more buyers return. What Builders Are Doing and Why It Works Homebuilders are thriving. Their market share has nearly doubled. Why? They solve buyers’ biggest concern: monthly payment. Instead of lowering prices, they offer financing incentives to reduce rates, lowering the monthly payment and making homes more affordable. How You Can Get the Same Advantage Buying an existing home? You can still save. The Sell Like the Builder program lets you work with sellers offering temporary interest rate buydowns, often shared with the lender. Here’s a 2-1 buydown example on a $500,000 loan: ? Year 1: 4.75% ? Year 2: 5.75% ? Year 3+: 6.75% ? That’s about $635/month savings in year one alone. A powerful way to cut your payment without waiting on lower rates. Final Thought While others wait for perfect conditions, smart buyers are acting now, locking in incentives and staying ahead of rising competition. If you’re serious about buying a home, this could be your moment. #mortgagerates #interestrates #mortgagemarket #homefinancing #mortgageratesdaily ??? Bill Gaylord, NMLS 680603 | Gaylord-Hansen Team at CrossCountry Mortgage | 702-757-8131 | https://lnkd.in/g4C9xMWy Rate Source: Mortgage News Daily (https://lnkd.in/gC99hZAj) Equal Housing Opportunity. CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC. NMLS3029 NMLS1437924 NMLS1628467 NMLS2079383 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).

Market Recap - March 14, 2025 The market may feel chaotic, but mortgage rates are holding steady at 6.75%, according to Mortgage News Daily. If you are considering buying a home, now is the time to stay focused on the bigger picture. Why This Market is Full of Opportunity Right now, headlines are filled with uncertainty, including tariff wars, economic concerns, and political changes. But markets always adjust, and things could shift sooner than expected. One reason for optimism is that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has been pushing for lower long-term rates to unfreeze the housing market. Just yesterday, he emphasized that the administration is committed to long-term economic health and understands the struggles buyers are facing. What’s Next for Mortgage Rates? The next Fed meeting is next week, but no immediate rate cuts are expected. However, the administration has made it clear that lowering rates is a priority, though it will take time. Should You Buy a Home Right Now? Yes, absolutely. This is when deals happen. Sellers are feeling pressure, and buyers have more negotiating power. That means you could secure closing cost credits, rate buydowns, or other financial incentives to make homeownership more affordable. Most homeowners stay in their homes for seven to ten years, so even if today’s market feels uncertain, real estate is a long-term investment. Why Acting Now Puts You Ahead Many buyers are waiting, unsure if now is the right time to act. But waiting could mean missing out on the best opportunities. ?? Sellers are negotiating more than they have in years. ?? Rates are expected to trend lower, but competition will increase as they do. ?? Those who buy when others hesitate tend to come out ahead in the long run. Final Thoughts It is easy to get distracted by the headlines, but the best buyers focus on what really matters. Acting today could mean securing a lower payment and better terms while you still have negotiating power. #mortgagerates #interestrates #mortgagemarket #homefinancing #mortgageratesdaily ??? Bill Gaylord, NMLS 680603 | Gaylord-Hansen Team at CrossCountry Mortgage | 702-757-8131 | https://lnkd.in/g4C9xMWy Rate Source: Mortgage News Daily (https://lnkd.in/gC99hZAj) The information contained is the viewpoint of the presenter(s). Individuals should consult their own financial representative. Equal Housing Opportunity. All loans subject to underwriting approval. Certain restrictions apply. Call for details. All borrowers must meet minimum credit score, loan-to-value, debt-to-income, and other requirements to qualify for any mortgage program. CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC. NMLS3029 NMLS1437924 NMLS1628467 NMLS2079383 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).

Market Recap - March 7, 2025 Mortgage rates are holding steady, but they’ve been quietly trending downward. If you’re looking to buy a home, you might have more buying power than you realize. What’s Happening in the Market? There’s been talk about tariffs and inflation, but it’s too early to know the full impact. Meanwhile, today’s jobs report came in weaker than expected, which helped mortgage rates improve. Mortgage Rates Are Quietly Dropping While rates aren’t making major headlines, they’ve been trending down. FHA and VA rates are now nearing 6%, bringing more affordability back to the market. But many buyers aren’t paying attention yet, and by the time they do, competition will be heating up. Why Now May Be the Best Time to Buy You might be thinking, “Should I wait for rates to drop further?” But here’s what history has shown: those who buy when others hesitate tend to come out ahead. Buyers who waited last year are now paying more for the same homes today. And as rates improve, competition will increase, and today’s seller incentives will fade. Sellers are already feeling the shift. Homes are taking longer to sell, and many are offering big concessions… $13K, $15K, even $20K in seller-paid closing costs. Right now, you have negotiating power to secure a lower rate and better terms. But as demand picks up, those opportunities will disappear. Final Thoughts If you’ve been waiting for the “perfect time” to buy, this could be it. Mortgage rates are falling, sellers are negotiating, and you still have the advantage… for now. Explore your options now before market conditions shift again. Acting today could mean securing a lower payment and better terms while you still have negotiating power. #mortgagerates #interestrates #mortgagemarket #homefinancing #mortgageratesdaily ??? Bill Gaylord, NMLS 680603 | Gaylord-Hansen Team at CrossCountry Mortgage | 702-757-8131 | https://lnkd.in/g4C9xMWy Rate Source: Mortgage News Daily (https://lnkd.in/gC99hZAj) The information contained is the viewpoint of the presenter(s). Individuals should consult their own financial representative. Equal Housing Opportunity. All loans subject to underwriting approval. Certain restrictions apply. Call for details. All borrowers must meet minimum credit score, loan-to-value, debt-to-income, and other requirements to qualify for any mortgage program. CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC. NMLS3029 NMLS1437924 NMLS1628467 NMLS2079383 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).

Market Recap - February 28, 2025 Mortgage rates are falling, creating new opportunities for homebuyers. According to Mortgage News Daily, rates are now 6.74%, down from 7.26% in mid-January. FHA and VA rates are approaching 6%, a level that typically brings more buyers into the market. Why Are Rates Dropping? This week’s PCE report, the Fed’s preferred inflation measure, showed inflation cooling to 2.5% headline and 2.6% core. Since inflation impacts mortgage rates, this was a positive sign. Economic indicators suggest rates could drop further. What’s Next for Mortgage Rates? Next week’s jobs report will be key. Unless job growth surges, rates should continue trending down. The job market is already slowing: ? Layoffs are increasing in some industries. ? Businesses are cutting back. ? Consumer spending is down, and savings are up. ? More people are struggling with credit and auto loan payments. If these trends continue, mortgage rates could drop even more. How This Impacts Homebuyers Sellers are feeling the shift. Homes are sitting longer, and many are offering big concessions… $13K, $15K, even $20K in seller-paid closing costs. Right now, you have leverage to negotiate closing costs and rate buydowns. But as rates continue to drop, these incentives may disappear. A Smarter Way to Lower Your Mortgage Payment Rather than waiting for home prices to rise, you can negotiate a seller-paid rate buydown to lower your monthly payment. ?? The 2-1 Buydown: ? Year 1: Rate is 2% lower, reducing your payment. ? Year 2: Rate is 1% lower, keeping payments manageable. ? Year 3+: Rate adjusts, but by then, you may be able to refinance. ?? Key Takeaway: Right now, you have negotiating power, but once demand rises, that leverage disappears. Why This is a Window of Opportunity Many homebuyers have been waiting for the right moment. Now, with falling rates and seller incentives, you can secure better terms before competition increases. Sellers are already adjusting, but as rates decline, incentives will fade. Final Thoughts With rates dropping and strong buyer incentives still available, this is a prime time to buy. Explore your options now before market conditions shift. Acting today could mean securing a lower payment and better terms while you still have negotiating power. #mortgagerates #interestrates #mortgagemarket #homefinancing #mortgageratesdaily ??? Bill Gaylord, NMLS 680603 | Gaylord-Hansen Team at CrossCountry Mortgage | 702-757-8131 | https://lnkd.in/g4C9xMWy Rate Source: Mortgage News Daily (https://lnkd.in/gC99hZAj) The information contained is the viewpoint of the presenter(s). Individuals should consult their own financial representative. Equal Housing Opportunity. CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC. NMLS3029 NMLS1437924 NMLS1628467 NMLS2079383 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).

Market Recap - February 21, 2025 We had some nice movement on interest rates this week, dipping below 7%. That’s progress, and you should take advantage of it. If rates are under 7%, this could be your opportunity to buy. Why Now is the Time to Buy Waiting to buy could mean paying more later. Many buyers are unsure about affordability, high rates, and making the wrong decision. But hesitation based on fear could cause you to miss out. "Let Them" by Mel Robbins explains why people feel stuck when making big decisions. Right now, you may feel uncertain and afraid of making a mistake. But here’s the reality: ?? Your hesitation is likely based on assumptions that may not be true. Once you understand your options, homeownership becomes more achievable. Here are two strategies to help you move forward: ? The ABC Loop, which explains why buyers get stuck ? A strategy builders use to make homes more affordable—and you can too The ABC Loop: Why You Might Be Stuck A = Assumption: "Rates are too high; I can’t afford a home." B = Behavior: You stop looking and delay pre-approval. C = Confirmation: News reinforces your fears, making you think, "It’s not the right time." And just like that, you wait while others take action. The 2-1 Buydown: Lower Your Payment Builders aren’t waiting for rates to drop. They are offering solutions to make homes more affordable. You can use the same strategy when buying from any seller. Here’s how a 2-1 buydown works: 1?? Year 1: Your mortgage rate is 2% lower, reducing your monthly payment. 2?? Year 2: Your rate is 1% lower, keeping payments manageable. 3?? Year 3 and beyond: Your rate adjusts, but by then, you’ve built equity and may refinance. ?? Best part? If the seller pays for the buydown, you don’t have to. Many sellers are already offering concessions, so use them to lower your payment. Why Buying Now Could Be the Smartest Move Waiting for rates to drop could cost you more as home prices keep rising. Before deciding to wait, ask yourself: ?? Would you buy now if your payment was lower for two years? ?? What if the seller covered the cost of a buydown? ?? What if waiting means paying more later? If you shift your mindset, you can change your future. Crunch the numbers, explore your options, and see if now is the right time. Homeownership is possible, and solutions exist to make it more affordable today. #mortgagerates #interestrates #mortgagemarket #homefinancing #mortgageratesdaily ??? Bill Gaylord, NMLS 680603 | Gaylord-Hansen Team at CrossCountry Mortgage | 702-757-8131 | https://lnkd.in/g4C9xMWy Rate Source: Mortgage News Daily (https://lnkd.in/gC99hZAj) Equal Housing Opportunity. All loans subject to underwriting approval. Certain restrictions apply. Call for details. CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC. NMLS3029 NMLS1437924 NMLS1628467 NMLS2079383 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).

Market Recap - February 14, 2025 Mortgage rates—just like love—can be unpredictable. Last week, predictions pointed to rates dropping below 7%, and they did—but for the wrong reason. A favorable CPI inflation report was expected to help rates, but inflation came in much hotter than anticipated. This sent rates soaring above 7%. The next day, the PPI inflation report, which tracks wholesale prices, came in lower than expected. That calmed markets, and rates rebounded. Then today, on Valentine's Day, retail sales data was released—and it was a big miss. That pushed rates back below 7%, great news for buyers. So, what’s going on? Consumer spending is slowing. One major reason: Credit card debt is at an all-time high—$1.2 trillion and counting. Instead of shopping, people are paying off high-interest credit cards, impacting retail sales. When spending slows, the economy does too—helping drive rates lower. Will this trend continue? That’s the big question. Another factor making Wall Street nervous: Trump’s tariff talk. Raising tariffs could push inflation higher as importing countries raise prices to cover costs. But is higher inflation really the goal? The intent is to make U.S. goods more competitive and bring jobs back home. It’s a high-stakes game, and Wall Street is waiting to see the impact. Now, let’s talk about buying a home. What does this mean for buyers? Mortgage rates may be a concern, but there are ways to secure a lower rate and reduce monthly payments. A 2-1 buydown is one option. This temporarily lowers the interest rate for the first two years of the loan, making homeownership more affordable. Example: 2-1 Buydown Year 1: Interest rate is 2% below the market rate. Year 2: Rate is 1% lower. Year 3+: Loan locks in at today’s market rate. Sellers often contribute toward a buydown as an incentive to get their home sold. And the best part? They only pay this if they agree to a full-price offer. For buyers looking to secure a lower mortgage rate, a 2-1 buydown can help lock in a more affordable payment—without waiting for rates to drop. #mortgagerates #interestrates #mortgagemarket #homefinancing #mortgageratesdaily ??? Bill Gaylord, NMLS 680603 | Gaylord-Hansen Team at CrossCountry Mortgage | 702-757-8131 | https://lnkd.in/g4C9xMWy Rate Source: Mortgage News Daily (https://lnkd.in/gC99hZAj) Equal Housing Opportunity. CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC. NMLS3029 NMLS1437924 NMLS1628467 NMLS2079383 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).

Market Recap - February 7, 2025 Recently, there was hope that mortgage rates would drop below 7%. And they did—briefly—hitting 6.99%, according to Mortgage News Daily. But they quickly shot back up. For the past eight weeks, rates have stayed above 7%. But this trend could break next week. Why? Because the biggest factors affecting mortgage rates are jobs and inflation. This week, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) jobs report came in lower than expected. The BLS report is unreliable due to massive seasonal adjustments. But Wall Street still reacts to it. Fortunately, this week’s BLS report didn’t have a huge impact on mortgage rates. Now, why might rates drop below 7% next week? Because the CPI (Consumer Price Index) inflation report is coming out. Inflation is calculated month-over-month, and we’re now replacing last year’s high inflation numbers. If trends continue, CPI should drop—and mortgage rates may follow. Why This Market Still Has Opportunity The real estate market feels tough right now: ?? Rates are high. ?? Home prices are high. ?? Affordability is challenging. ?? Inventory is limited. But uncertainty creates opportunity. Instead of focusing on what’s wrong, focus on what’s right—and how that benefits you. That brings back the $25,000 investment that turns into $400,000. How Buying a Home Builds Wealth If you put down $25,000 on a home, you’re not just buying a place to live—you’re building long-term wealth. ?? Fact: Homeowners have 40 times the net worth of renters. That’s not speculation—it’s proven. Buying a home isn’t just about the mortgage—it’s about investing in your future. And yes, it’s easy to feel like the market is working against you, but that’s why now is the time to act. How Do You Get There? There are two ways to approach homeownership: 1?? Focus on what’s wrong and why it feels impossible. ?? The problem: That mindset keeps you stuck. 2?? Focus on what you’re doing right—and how to use it to your advantage. ?? The solution: Small steps today lead to massive gains. If you tell yourself “now isn’t the right time,” you might never take the leap. But if you recognize your progress and keep moving forward, you’ll be in the best position when the time is right. You’re Closer Than You Think ?? You have a steady job. ?? You’re building credit. ?? You’re saving for a down payment. These are all wins—even if you’re not quite ready to buy today. The key is to stay the course. Keep working toward homeownership. When the right moment comes, you’ll be ready—and so glad you didn’t wait. #mortgagerates #interestrates #mortgagemarket #homefinancing #mortgageratesdaily ??? Bill Gaylord, NMLS 680603 | Gaylord-Hansen Team at CrossCountry Mortgage | 702-757-8131 | https://lnkd.in/g4C9xMWy Rate Source: Mortgage News Daily (https://lnkd.in/gC99hZAj) Equal Housing Opportunity. CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC. NMLS3029 NMLS1437924 NMLS1628467 NMLS2079383 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).

Market Recap - January 31, 2025 For those thinking about buying a home, understanding what's happening with mortgage rates is essential. Right now, they’re stuck in neutral, hovering just above 7%. It’s like being in rush hour traffic, waiting for the light to turn green. But don’t worry—relief is on the horizon. The Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE)—the Fed’s favorite measure of inflation—came in as expected. While the headline number ticked up from 2.4% to 2.6%, the more important core PCE, which strips out food and energy, held steady at 2.8%. The Fed’s goal is 2%, and here’s the good news: Key months that previously made inflation look worse than it really was have now passed. One of the biggest inflation drivers, shelter costs (basically rent), is finally cooling down. The actual increase in rents is far lower than what’s currently being reported in the inflation data. Think of it like a long, brutal summer finally giving way to crisp fall weather—and lower mortgage rates ahead. Lower inflation means better news for homebuyers. Inflation is calculated using the last 12 months of data, meaning every month, an old number drops off and a new one takes its place. The December report replaced a super-low inflation number from last year, making things look a little shaky—kind of like squeezing a big pig through a small snake. Not a pretty sight, but that phase is over. Now, some much higher inflation figures from last year are about to be replaced in January, February, and March. If inflation continues to cool, mortgage rates should follow. The three-month core inflation rate is trending at 2.1%, and the six-month rate is 2.3%. That means inflation is on track to hit the Fed’s 2% target, which could push mortgage rates into the mid-6% range by May. So, should homebuyers wait? Nope. The market is waking up. Whether it’s New Year's resolutions, a new Trump administration—whatever the reason, buyers are jumping back in and realizing that waiting for a big rate drop isn’t a winning strategy. Many are getting pre-approved now, actively house hunting, and preparing to strike. They're taking time to find the right home, but they don’t want to wait too long and risk missing out. For those who are pre-approved, waiting could mean facing more competition and losing negotiation leverage. Right now, buyers have the advantage. The best time to buy is before the spring rush—especially if rates drop. #mortgagerates #interestrates #mortgagemarket #homefinancing #mortgageratesdaily ??? Bill Gaylord, NMLS 680603 | Gaylord-Hansen Team at CrossCountry Mortgage | 702-757-8131 | https://lnkd.in/g4C9xMWy Rate Source: Mortgage News Daily (https://lnkd.in/gC99hZAj) Equal Housing Opportunity. CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC. NMLS3029 NMLS1437924 NMLS1628467 NMLS2079383 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).