Jean Pickering, Realtor

08/03/2026

📈 ⚡ Last Week: Mortgage rates moved back toward recent highs, ending the week near 6.83%. The Fed held rates steady, but three policymakers favored a rate hike, reinforcing concerns that inflation may remain sticky. Treasury yields also moved higher, adding pressure to mortgage rates.

↔️ This Week Ahead: The market will focus on July unemployment and non-farm payrolls. Stronger labor data could push rates higher, while softer data may provide some relief. With no clear Fed guidance for September, these reports carry extra importance.

More Inventory = More Buyer Opportunities

One of the biggest advantages for buyers right now is increased negotiating power. As inventory grows, sellers are becoming more willing to offer concessions to help get a deal done.

Seller contributions can often be used to:
✅ Lower your rate temporarily with a buydown
✅ Lower your rate permanently with discount points
✅ Cover some or all of your closing costs

The opportunity today isn't just finding the right home, it's negotiating terms that can improve affordability. If you're thinking about buying, let's review your options and build a plan that fits your goals.

I know rates are still higher than many buyers would like, but the good news is that buyers have more negotiating power today than they've had in quite a while. As inventory increases, sellers are becoming more willing to offer concessions.

Those seller contributions can potentially help lower your rate temporarily, lower your rate permanently, or cover some of your closing costs. Instead of focusing only on the interest rate, let's look at all the ways we can improve affordability. The right strategy can make a bigger difference than waiting for the perfect rate.

Happy house hunting 🏡

07/30/2026

The Market Isn't Waiting for the Fed!

This week, everyone's watching the Federal Reserve. While rate headlines tend to grab attention, they aren't the whole story.

The bigger change happening right now is that buyers have more leverage than they've had in years.

Inventory has improved, sellers are seeing fewer offers, and many buyers are taking a wait-and-see approach. That means today's buyers are often finding more negotiating power, more choices, and more flexibility in the market.

Could rates move lower someday? Maybe. But if they do, more buyers may jump back into the market and competition could increase right alongside them.

The best move isn't trying to perfectly time rates—it's understanding what opportunities exist today and having a plan for whatever comes next.

If buying a home is on your radar this year, let's connect and look at your options

Happy house hunting 🏡

07/16/2026

Do This Before Buyers Come Back!

Right now, a lot of buyers are still sitting on the sidelines. They’re watching interest rates, waiting for clarity, and trying to time the market.

That hesitation is creating a window. There’s a bit less competition, more room to negotiate, and better positioning than we’ve seen earlier this year.

But that doesn’t last.

When rates stabilize — or even just stop moving as much — buyers tend to come back quickly. And when they do, competition increases before anything else really changes. That’s why right now isn’t just about whether it’s a “perfect time” to buy.

It’s time to get prepared!

Get pre-approved. Understand your numbers. Start looking at options. Because the buyers who win in the next phase of the market are the ones who got ready before everyone else came back.

Happy house hunting 🏡

07/09/2026

Why buyers are still getting deals right now!

One thing that’s easy to miss right now is that buyers haven’t left the market… they’re just moving differently.

We’re still seeing steady activity — but instead of fast, emotional decisions, people are taking more time. They’re comparing options, negotiating more, and being more intentional with what they buy.

At the same time, there are more homes available than we’ve seen in a while. That combination matters. It means you’re not competing the same way you were a few years ago—and you actually have room to think through decisions instead of rushing them.

Rates are still sitting in a tight range, so the bigger advantage right now isn’t timing the market perfectly — it’s using the environment to make a smarter move.

If you’re even thinking about buying, the best next step is just getting a plan together. That way, when the right opportunity shows up, you’re ready to act on it.

Happy house hunting 🏡

07/02/2026

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Wishing everyone a safe and Happy 4th of July!

06/29/2026

Quick thought—the market feels pretty balanced right now, which is actually where buyers have the most control.

When rates go up, the window closes on affordability. When rates go down, competition comes back fast.

Right now sits in the middle—with options and negotiating room. So it’s less about timing and more about being ready. Want to take a look at what that could look like for you?

A Balanced Market Feels Quiet

It doesn’t feel frenzied right now—and that’s exactly what creates opportunity. Buyers have more time, more options, and more ability to negotiate.

Windows Don’t Stay Open Long

When rates go up, affordability tightens and buyers get pushed out.

When rates go down, demand comes back fast and competition increases.

This Is the Leverage Window

Balanced markets are where buyers have control—but they don’t last. The advantage shifts quickly once conditions change.

What To Do Now

This isn’t about rushing—it’s about being prepared.

Let’s take a look at your options so you’re ready when the right home shows up.


Happy house hunting 🏡

06/25/2026

What Buyers Gain When Others Wait

Right now, a lot of buyers are waiting.

They’re watching rates, trying to time the market—but that hesitation is changing the playing field. As more buyers sit on the sidelines, something important happens: There’s less competition for the homes that are on the market.

That gives active buyers an advantage—more options, more negotiating room, and more control over the terms.

Here’s the tradeoff: Today’s opportunity isn’t about perfect rates—it’s about better positioning.

Because when rates improve, buyers come back—and when they do, competition follows. The goal right now isn’t to guess what the market will do. It’s to understand what you gain when others wait—and be ready to act when the right opportunity shows up.

Let’s build a plan so you’re in position.

Happy house hunting 🏡

Source: University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Survey, HousingWire

06/24/2026

Homeowners know that paying to live in a home goes beyond just the mortgage. And your monthly payment isn't a fixed cost — it can rise over time, leaving you feeling "house poor."

The Wall Street Journal just reported the total homeownership bill, including all the expenses below, rose 39% from 2019 to 2025.

To put it simply, a $1,700 monthly housing cost in 2019 now costs around $2,400.

I recently talked to three homeowners who griped about three unexpected costs: emergency repairs, utilities and property taxes.

Crystin Liboma bought a house in suburban Delaware that came with major plumbing failures. She spent $6,000 to fix it and ended up in credit card debt. “When I first moved into my first home, I had the expectation that I was going to have a certain amount of savings," she says. "But it all went to repairs.”

Michael Downs has seen two 4% utility rate increases in the last year at his Missouri home. The new utility bills are cutting into an already tight budget. "The frustrating part is that it ties up money that otherwise I would use, whether it be paying down my debts or just putting something into savings," he explains.

Rosemarie Fejerang bought a condo in Oakland, Calif., with down payment assistance from a program for healthcare workers after successfully paying off $92,000 in credit card debt. Then, property taxes struck after a reassessment and drove her back into debt. She felt like no one had explained this risk during the homebuying process.

I'm exploring an idea for Bankrate that, among the uncontrollable factors of homeownership, there's one thing you can control — your mortgage rate. From the get-go, the rate you find determines the interest you'll pay for the future.

And here's what banks don't want you to know: you can actually compare rates.

Getting multiple offers and negotiating are proven ways to borrow at a rate below the market average. That way, you can have a little more cash on hand to face the unexpected.

What costs have you dealt with since owning a home?

06/22/2026

Market Spotlight
Week of June 22nd, 2026

What You Need to Know!

Rate Update, currently 6.6%.

🧭 KEY TAKEAWAY

This is a steady but rate-sensitive market—buyers are active, just selective.

There are more homes on the market, but a lot of buyers are still sitting on the sidelines. So if you’re active right now, you actually have less competition and more room to negotiate. Most people are waiting on rates—but that’s exactly what’s creating the opportunity. If rates improve later, more buyers jump back in and that leverage goes away.

Do the numbers work for you right now?

Right now, a lot of buyers are waiting.

They’re watching rates, trying to time the market—but that hesitation is changing the playing field. As more buyers sit on the sidelines, something important happens: There’s less competition for the homes that are on the market.

That gives active buyers an advantage—more options, more negotiating room, and more control over the terms.

Here’s the tradeoff: Today’s opportunity isn’t about perfect rates—it’s about better positioning.

Because when rates improve, buyers come back—and when they do, competition follows. The goal right now isn’t to guess what the market will do. It’s to understand what you gain when others wait—and be ready to act when the right opportunity shows up.

Let’s build a plan so you’re in position.

Happy house hunting 🏡

Source: University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Survey, HousingWire

06/11/2026

Are you waiting for Rates to drop?

A lot of buyers are waiting for rates to drop — but last week’s jobs report showed a stronger economy, which is keeping rates higher for now.

At the same time, inventory is improving. That means more options and more negotiating room than we’ve seen in a while.

So while rates haven’t improved yet, your position as a buyer has.

If rates do come down later, competition will likely pick up again. Right now, the opportunity is to have more control in the process.

The goal isn’t to time the market — it’s to move when the numbers make sense for you.

Happy house hunting 🏡

Source: Housingwire weekly market update