09/24/2026
📢Quick Market Check-In...Cause I know you've heard rates are up...But may not understand what that actually means.
Why Sellers Should Care About Buyer Buying Power
A small change in mortgage rates may not look like much on paper, but it can make a BIG difference to a buyer.
Here’s an example using a $400,000, 30-year mortgage:
6.76% → about $2,597/month
6.95% → about $2,648/month
That's only about $51 more a month... but here's the part sellers need to pay attention to:
To keep roughly that same $2,597 principal & interest payment at the higher rate, a buyer's borrowing power drops ⬇️ to about $392,335 roughly $7,665 less.
And THAT is why pricing matters.
Buyers aren't just looking at your home's price, they're looking at what that price costs them every month. When rates move, their buying power moves with them.
Pricing a home correctly from the beginning helps put it in front of the largest pool of qualified buyers. Overpricing, even by what feels like “just $10,000” can put your home outside someone's comfortable monthly payment or even their qualification range.
The goal isn't just to get your home on the market. It's to position it where buyers see the value AND can afford to make the move.
*Example is principal & interest only and doesn't include taxes, insurance, HOA fees or other housing costs. Info provided by NREB
