12/03/2025
Subject: Quick Mortgage & Market Update
Hi everyone,
I wanted to share a quick update on whatās happening with mortgage rates and the housing market:
Mortgage Rates:
Rates have improved. Two weeks ago, the average 30-year rate was 6.86%, and weāre now more than half a percent lower. I expect a bit more improvement today or tomorrow. This is largely due to the ADP job report, which was expected to show +40,000 jobs but instead showed ā32,000 jobs. Over the last four months, the labor market has seen a net loss of 17,000 jobs, signaling softness in the economy.
Because of this, the probability of a Federal Reserve rate cut next week is now around 90%. While Fed cuts donāt directly set mortgage rates, they do influence overall market conditionsāincluding HO borrowing costsāwhich can indirectly help mortgage rates.
Important Condo Update:
Rising costsāespecially insurance and maintenanceāare causing more condo projects to become non-warrantable, even if they were approved just months ago. HOAs are adjusting policies to save money, but many are no longer meeting agency guidelines due to high deductibles or low coverage.
If you're representing a condo buyer or seller, it's crucial to understand warrantability upfront. Otherwise, transactions can fall apart late in the process, costing clients time and money.
Tucson Affordability Reminder:
The median home price in Tucson is still about $60,000 lower than the U.S. median. That makes owning a home here roughly $400/month cheaper than the national average. This is a great point to share with your networkāTucson is far more affordable than many people realize.
If you have questions about rates, market trends, or condo warrantability, Iām always here to help.
Best regards,
Randy Costilow
Real Estate Consultant
520-444-8444
[email protected]