Jill Jackson-Windermere Real Estate

09/18/2026

Refinancing just got a lot quieter.

Mortgage applications dropped 2.7% last week as rates climbed, and refinance activity hit its slowest point since May 2025, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. But here's the part worth paying attention to: purchase applications barely moved. People looking to buy are still out there, running 4% ahead of where we were this time last year.

Slower refi volume doesn't mean the market is stalling. It usually just means buyers are making decisions based on their situation, not waiting for a perfect rate.

If you're wondering what this means for buying or selling in Puyallup, Tacoma, or Gig Harbor, what's your biggest question right now?

09/17/2026

Rates have now climbed three weeks in a row, sitting at 6.76% as of September 10, according to Freddie Mac.

The 15-year fixed came in at 6.09%. Both are running higher than they were at this point last year, and if you look at the last month, the trend has been pretty consistently upward since late August.

That said, rates move, and so does the market here in Pierce County. If you've been watching from the sidelines, I'm happy to talk through what this actually means for your situation, buying or selling. What's your biggest question right now?

09/16/2026

Mortgage rates are holding near 6.5% right now, and that's actually shifting some power back to buyers.

When rates stabilize like this, sellers tend to get more realistic on price, and buyers have a little more room to ask for repairs, closing costs, or time. It's not a dramatic swing, but it's a real change from the past couple of years.

If you've been sitting on the sidelines waiting for things to feel more manageable, this is worth paying attention to. Source: Freddie Mac PMMS.

Curious what this means for buying or selling in Puyallup, Tacoma, or Gig Harbor? Drop a question below or send me a message.

09/15/2026

Buying a home now takes 36% of the typical family's income, up from 32% just last quarter. That jump is mostly because the median existing-home price climbed 8% to $434,900. For lower-income families, the same home would cost 71% of their earnings.

That's a real shift in a short amount of time, and it's hitting buyers in Pierce County just like everywhere else.

If you're trying to figure out what this means for your situation, I'm happy to talk it through. What's your biggest question about buying right now?

Source: NAHB/Wells Fargo Cost of Housing Index, Q2 2026

09/14/2026

09/11/2026

Rates have been sitting near 6.5% for a bit now, and the market in Pierce County is reflecting that.

Buyers are getting something they haven't had much of lately: room to breathe. More time to decide, more willingness from sellers to work with them on price and terms. It's a calmer pace than what a lot of people went through a few years back.

Whether you're thinking about a move in Tacoma, Puyallup, or Gig Harbor, or just trying to make sense of where things stand, it's a reasonable time to have the conversation.

Source: Freddie Mac PMMS.

Contact McNamer Homes Team Today:
Steve McNamer & Jill Jackson, REALTORS®
📞 253-442-3322
📨 [email protected]
🌐 https://www.mcnamerhomes.com
📍 Windermere Professional Partners | McNamer Homes

09/10/2026

More homes on the market than we've seen since May, and fewer buyers under contract. That combination is real.

According to Redfin, new listings and active inventory both climbed again last week, while pending sales dropped to a six-month low.

In plain terms: supply is up, competition is down, and sellers know it. Buyers who are ready to move have more options and more room to ask for things, whether that's price, repairs, or closing costs.

If you've been watching Pierce County and waiting for a shift, this is worth paying attention to. What's been holding you back?

Contact McNamer Homes Team Today:
Steve McNamer & Jill Jackson, REALTORS®
📞 253-442-3322
📨 [email protected]
🌐 https://www.mcnamerhomes.com
📍 Windermere Professional Partners | McNamer Homes

09/09/2026

Sales slipped last month, but prices didn't.

According to the National Association of Realtors, existing home sales dipped 1.7% in July while the median price climbed to $431,400. Inventory held at a 4.6-month supply, which is healthier than it's been in years, but buyers are still sitting on the sidelines waiting for rates to ease. NAR's chief economist put it plainly: if rates were back near 6%, the market would be thriving.

If you're weighing a move in Pierce County and wondering what this means for Puyallup, Tacoma, or Gig Harbor specifically, I'm happy to talk through it. What questions are you sitting with right now?

Contact McNamer Homes Team Today:

Steve McNamer & Jill Jackson, REALTORS®
📞 253-442-3322
📨 [email protected]

🌐 https://www.mcnamerhomes.com
📍 Windermere Professional Partners | McNamer Homes