Mortgage costs have climbed to a 14-month high, with the typical US buyer’s monthly payment now hitting $2,600 by late Q3. At the same time, the national median home-sale price inched up about 2% year over year, reaching approximately $399,000. This combination continues to press on affordability, and it’s no surprise we’re seeing pending sales remain flat month-over-month and lower compared to last year.
Mortgage-purchase applications dipped slightly, and while new listings decreased in line with holiday timing, they still edged modestly above the comparable 2025 period. What stands out in this landscape is how critical pricing strategy has become: around 21% of active listings made price cuts, with sharper pricing drawing in more buyer attention, while overpricing often leads to hesitation.
Inventory conditions have shown some improvement—active supply was up about 2% year over year, bringing total inventory to 1.5 million homes and close to four months of supply. Yet, we’re still not quite at the balance many are looking for in the market.
With over a decade of experience in residential, commercial, and luxury properties throughout Whittier and Helendale, I’ve seen firsthand how the right approach to pricing and presentation can make all the difference for both buyers and sellers in any market cycle.
Leave a Reply