2026 Mortgage Rates + Our First Closing of the Year From Dave and Travis!

Success Story!

 

We kicked off the year with a great closing on two 40-acre properties in Big Lake , a full-circle moment that made this one especially meaningful.

 

These properties belonged to longtime clients Lloyd and Bill. I originally helped them purchase the land back in 2014, and over the next ten years they put an incredible amount of work into building and shaping something truly special amazing views, wide-open space, and a very unique setting.

We went on the market in September, spent 59 days on market, and 58 days from contract to closing. Despite how unique the property was, the transaction went smoothly with conventional financing, and the appraisal came in right on value. 

 

Everyone involved was happy with the outcome, and it was great working with all parties on the deal. Helping clients full-circle from purchase to a successful sale years later is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.

 

 

I recently received an update from Tracy Ottinger, and I know this topic is top of mind for a lot of buyers right now. Based on forecasts from major industry sources, Fannie Mae, the Mortgage Bankers Association, Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com, the overall consensus is pretty clear: mortgage rates are expected to remain relatively steady through 2026, generally landing in the low-to-mid 6% range. While there’s always a chance for small improvements if inflation continues to cool, none of these projections are pointing toward a meaningful return to sub-5% rates.

What this tells me is that waiting purely for rates to drop may not bring the outcome many buyers are hoping for. Meanwhile, home prices, rent, and missed equity opportunities don’t stand still.

That’s why I often encourage buyers to look beyond just the rate. 

On our website, we have a “Cost of Waiting” equity calculator that helps show the real financial impact of delaying a purchase. When you combine realistic rate expectations with actual numbers, it often brings a lot more clarity and confidence to the decision-making process.

 

 

That recent drop doesn’t sound dramatic, until you realize how much it can already save you on the typical $400k loan.

Compared to buying in January of last year, that saves you more than $330 a month and almost $120k over the life of your loan.