Real estate blog entries tagged with real estate by Bob Elliot, 30Yrs Experience (RES Realty)

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real estate: What's Ahead for Mortgage Rates This Week - April 13th, 2026 - 04/13/26 10:43 AM

The core CPI and PCE data have been released, leaving only the non-core CPI data delayed. Amid the Iran war, inflation has once again risen to higher levels, with most sectors seeing widespread price increases due to higher fuel and energy costs. As fuel costs rise, there is a knock-on effect across other consumer products as well. However, inflation has remained within expectations when considering the impact of the war.
PCE Index
Shortly before the start of the Iran war, a key measure of U.S. inflation rose at an excessive pace for the third month in a row, underscoring the latest challenge facing … (1 comments)

real estate: What's Ahead for Mortgage Rates This Week - March 30th, 2026 - 03/30/26 11:28 AM

With the current state of affairs, it is not surprising that a majority of the releases scheduled for this week have been delayed until next week. The only notable report set to be released is the consumer sentiment report, which has been showing month-to-month declines. This has led to a very light week, with a heavy slate of inflation data scheduled for release next week. The PCE Index and CPI are both scheduled for next week.
Consumer Sentiment
The University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index fell sharply to 53.3 in March 2026, down from the preliminary estimate of 55.5 and below February’s 56.6. … (1 comments)

real estate: What's Ahead for Mortgage Rates This Week - March 23rd, 2026 - 03/23/26 11:46 AM

While delayed, the Producer Price Index has indicated that the war in Iran has pushed producer prices to new highs, as oil prices have surged amid the conflict, coming in at more than double the expected value. It is unlikely we will see prices recede, even if there is a quick resolution. There will be long-term impacts that continue to keep gas prices elevated until then.
Outside of the influential PPI release, the schedule was relatively slim, with only further discussion of the FOMC rate decision, which largely focused on maintaining the status quo until more data and developments come to light.
Producer Price … (2 comments)

real estate: What's Ahead for Mortgage Rates This Week - March 16th, 2026 - 03/16/26 07:41 AM

With the release of the delayed PCE and CPI inflation data reports, the Federal Reserve has chosen to stick to its resolve and maintain the current interest rates. It remains to be seen whether this will result in maintaining them or even increasing rates, as reports have shown that inflation is remaining sticky for the average consumer. This has been exacerbated by the ongoing conflicts with Iran, which have pushed gasoline prices higher.
There is some speculation that the Federal Reserve may walk back a rate hike in order to combat this ongoing stubborn inflation, but there is little sign of that … (1 comments)

real estate: What's Ahead for Mortgage Rates This Week - March 9th, 2026 - 03/09/26 08:54 AM

The inflation data for CPI and the PCE Index was intended to be released this upcoming week, but it has been delayed until the following week. Given that, the most important data for this week was the Jobs Report, which includes important figures such as the amount of job growth and wage gains in proportion to inflation.
This release has shown a rather dismal result in job growth, showing near-zero job gains—a major reduction compared to the previous two years during the same period. This is also followed by wage gains that have lagged behind inflation for a long time. This could … (2 comments)

real estate: What's Ahead for Mortgage Rates This Week - March 2nd, 2026 - 03/02/26 08:08 AM

The release schedules of both the PPI and CPI have landed in the same week, but recently they have been shifted off kilter, with the PPI set to release the prior week. Limited information from the Core PPI—which came in higher than expected—was released, with the full data release delayed and likely to be published alongside the CPI data. Outside of these two releases, the unemployment data that was set to be released this week has also been delayed and is now due next week. This leaves Consumer Confidence as the only major release, which broke a six-month downtrend, showing a … (0 comments)

real estate: What's Ahead for Mortgage Rates This Week - February 23rd, 2026 - 02/23/26 07:05 AM

The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation indicator has come in showing that inflation is still running hotter than expected. This creates a difficult position for the Federal Reserve as it tries to balance interest rate cuts while managing inflation at the same time. Despite previous rate adjustments, inflation has remained stubbornly high.
It remains to be seen whether any monetary policy will be able to curb the recent trend as it stands. This was also accompanied by a 0.4% increase in personal income, which has been the status quo for some time now. Inflation outpacing wage growth has been a major concern on … (0 comments)

real estate: The Cost of Waiting for the "Perfect" Home - 02/19/26 08:15 AM

Many home buyers delay decisions while waiting for a home that checks every box. While patience is valuable, perfection often creates paralysis. Understanding the difference between standards and unrealistic expectations helps buyers move forward with confidence.
Perfection Is Subjective
What feels perfect today may not feel perfect next year. Needs change, preferences shift, and priorities evolve. Holding out for flawlessness can delay progress indefinitely.
Opportunity Has a Window
Homes that align well with budget, location, and lifestyle do not appear endlessly. Buyers who hesitate too long often miss strong opportunities that were well-suited.
Compromise Is Strategic
Every purchase involves trade-offs. Smart buyers decide which features are essential … (1 comments)

real estate: What's Ahead for Mortgage Rates This Week - February 17th, 2026 - 02/17/26 08:08 AM

In an unexpected turn, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed that inflation came in cooler than expected for the month of January, falling to a five-year low.
The jobs report showed that unemployment numbers came in worse than expected, perhaps signaling further hesitation from the Federal Reserve, despite inflation data coming in favorably.
This is also in light of retail sales data showing that, when accounting for post-holiday trends, retail activity has hit a significant slump. This suggests that Americans’ buying habits have changed substantially from the prior year, offering further insight that price pressures are still present at current levels. There is … (2 comments)

real estate: What's Ahead for Mortgage Rates This Week - December 15th, 2025 - 12/15/25 08:30 AM

The Federal Reserve Interest Rate decision occurred the prior week, with the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates another quarter as expected by many industry analysts. This has given the market a lot of optimism that the trend will still continue and the Chairman Jerome Powell has stated it’s a good time to wait and see where the economy is headed before cutting rates further, giving further confidence more will be coming next year.
There was also the U.S. Trade Deficit to gauge where the current trade policies have positioned the U.S. and it has been reported that the expectations for the trade … (1 comments)

real estate: What's Ahead for Mortgage Rates This Week - December 10th, 2025 - 12/08/25 08:43 AM

The PCE Index reports have come in—albeit delayed—and show inflation numbers that fell within expectations. The data also indicates that inflation has not worsened since before the government shutdown. It is widely believed that the Federal Reserve will likely cut rates once more.
This is followed by another Consumer Spending report showing that spending rose in September and October, though the momentum appears to be slowing. Much of the optimism in the broader markets going forward hinges on the potential for further interest rate cuts.
Consumer Spending
Personal spending rose 0.3% in September, the government said Friday. That was a touch slower than in … (2 comments)

real estate: What's Ahead for Mortgage Rates This Week - November 24th, 2025 - 11/24/25 06:53 AM

This week finally got a strong release of regularly scheduled data, with unemployment figures coming out first, along with employment-rate data.
The prior week included the Consumer Price Index, which came in favorable. Some of the unemployment-related numbers, however, weren’t as telling as they could be: the forecast was roughly 50,000, but the actual figure landed closer to 110,000. That’s an order-of-magnitude miss, suggesting we may need to allow some time for the data to self-correct.
The coming week is slated to include both the PPI—which has drifted out of sync with the CPI—and the PCE Index. These are the two major releases … (2 comments)

real estate: What's Ahead for Mortgage Rates This Week - November 17th, 2025 - 11/17/25 08:39 AM

In the aftermath of the recent government shutdown, the expected releases are still delayed. This round of releases is particularly impactful, involving key inflation reports from both the Consumer Price Index and the Producer Price Index. While the Federal Reserve prefers the PCE Index—and also relies on its own methods for collecting inflation data—the delay is undoubtedly troubling for the broader market, as the shutdown disrupted a wide range of services across the nation. The data is now expected to be released next week.
Primary Mortgage Market Survey Index
• 15-Yr FRM rates saw a decrease of -0.01% for this week, with the … (2 comments)

real estate: What's Ahead for Mortgage Rates This Week - August 25th, 2025 - 08/25/25 08:48 AM

The FOMC meeting that was held the previous week to discuss upcoming decisions addressed the future of the economic landscape.
During his remarks, Jerome Powell stated that inflation will rise in the future, with consumers bearing the burden. Many have speculated that this means reductions in current rates are unlikely to happen anytime soon, in an attempt to keep inflation under control.
Another notable release was the leading economic indicators, which once again showed contraction—signaling the potential for further economic decline.
Leading Economic Indicators
The Leading Economic Indicator (LEI) for the US inched down by 0.1% in July 2025 to 98.7 (2016=100), after declining by … (3 comments)

real estate: What's Ahead for Mortgage Rates This Week - August 18th, 2025 - 08/18/25 12:05 PM

This marks the first release of CPI and PPI data since the recent reduction in data collection that is used to determine the current inflation. The Producer Price Index has shown quite clearly that there has been the biggest whole price jump in the last 3 years, showing that the administration's policies on tariffs are having an impact. The CPI has shown a similar increase in inflation, but still within expectations in lieu of the current tariff policies.
There is still data to be collected, with some speculation that the Federal Reserve may implement rate cuts in the future. Consumer sentiment has … (1 comments)

real estate: The Importance of a Home Inspection Before Purchasing - 08/07/25 12:40 PM

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial commitments most people make in their lifetime. While the process can be exciting, it is also full of important steps that protect your investment. One of the most critical yet sometimes overlooked steps is the home inspection.
Uncovering Hidden Issues
A home may look perfect on the surface, but only a thorough inspection can reveal what is going on behind the walls, under the roof, or in the foundation. A certified home inspector checks the major systems of the home, including electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and structural components. These findings help you understand what repairs … (0 comments)

real estate: The Hidden Reasons Homes Linger on the Market - 06/10/25 09:04 AM

When a home sits on the market longer than expected, the price is often the first thing blamed. While overpricing can be a major factor, it's far from the only one. One of the most common culprits is poor presentation. Buyers today form opinions within seconds, often based on online photos before they even step foot inside.
Homes that are cluttered, outdated, poorly lit, or in need of deep cleaning may leave a negative impression. Listing photos that are dark, grainy, or unprofessional can stop interest before it starts.
Accessibility and Showings
Another big reason homes don’t move quickly is limited accessibility. If a … (2 comments)

real estate: What's Ahead for Mortgage Rates This Week - June 2nd, 2025 - 06/02/25 06:13 AM

he PCE Index release—the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation indicator—has shown favorable results. However, the overwhelming sentiment remains one of uncertainty due to the ongoing trade wars. With these conflicts still in full swing, inflation is expected to rise in the near future at a faster-than-anticipated pace. Following the recent trade truce with China, consumer sentiment has improved, though the long-term impact remains uncertain. As expected, consumer spending has declined noticeably, as the tariffs have led to short-term price increases.
PCE Index
The cost of living barely rose in April — and the rate of inflation slowed even closer to prepandemic levels — but … (1 comments)

real estate: What's Ahead for Mortgage Rates This Week - May 27th, 2025 - 05/27/25 01:22 PM

espite the recent pause on tariffs for Europe and progressing talks with China, the economic outlook remains largely negative across all sectors and markets. Although this week was relatively light on economic reports, the most notable was the Leading Economic Indicators, which showed a significant decline in every measurable category for April. This decline is largely attributed to the tariff policies implemented recently. Overall, the outlook remains pessimistic, despite other markets showing a more favorable reaction to the recent pauses on tariffs.
U.S. Leading Economic Indicators
The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the US fell sharply by 1.0% in April 2025 … (0 comments)

real estate: What's Ahead for Mortgage Rates This Week - May 5th, 2025 - 05/05/25 06:44 AM

Last week featured a slew of releases, but the most important one as of this writing is the GDP estimates. Both the GDP and GDP deflator data have started to reverse their previous trends, raising serious concerns that the economy may be experiencing deflationary effects.
This is somewhat offset by the Personal Income and Spending reports, which showed favorable numbers, as well as the Non-farm Payroll figures, which have also increased during this period.
The impact of the latest tariffs and trade wars has already appeared in estimates and data releases across numerous markets. There is strong expectation that the Federal Reserve will … (1 comments)

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