Fox Valley Real Estate Blog - Mortgage Rates

What an Economic Slowdown Could Mean for the Housing Market

Posted by The Kombrink Team on May 1st, 2025

Talk about the economy is all over the news, and the odds of a recession are rising this year. That’s leaving a lot of people wondering what it means for the value of their home – and their buying power.

Let’s take a look at some historical data to show what’s happened in the housing market during each recession, going all the way back to the 1980s. The facts may surprise you.

A Recession Doesn’t Mean Home Prices Will Fall

Many people think that if a recession hits, home prices will fall like they did in 2008. But that was an exception, not the rule. It was the only time the market saw such a steep drop in prices. And it hasn’t happened since, mainly because inventory is still so low overall. Even in markets where the number of homes for sale has…

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What You Can Do When Mortgage Rates Are a Moving Target

Posted by The Kombrink Team on April 22nd, 2025

Have you seen where mortgage rates have been lately? One day they go down a little. The next day, they go back up again. It can feel confusing and even frustrating if you’re trying to decide whether now’s a good time to buy a home.

Take a look at the graph below. It uses data from Mortgage News Daily to show that after a relatively stable month of March, mortgage rates have been on a bit of a roller coaster ride in April:

This kind of up-and-down volatility is expected when economic changes are happening.

And that’s one of the reasons why trying to time the market isn’t your best move. You can’t control what happens with mortgage rates. But you’re not powerless. Even with all the economic uncertainty right now, there are things you can do.

You…

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A Recession Doesn’t Mean a Housing Crisis

Posted by The Kombrink Team on April 12th, 2025

Some Highlights

• There’s a lot of talk about a recession lately and how the odds of one are rising. If you’re wondering what that means for the housing market, here’s what the data tells us.
• While you may remember the price crash in 2008, that’s not the norm. Looking back all the way to 1980, home prices usually rise and mortgage rates tend to fall.
• If you have questions about buying or selling a home in today’s market, let’s have a conversation.

Originally posted at Simplifying The Market.

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4 Things To Expect from the Spring Housing Market

Posted by The Kombrink Team on March 24th, 2025

Spring is in full swing, and the housing market is picking up along with it. And if you’ve been wondering whether now is the right time to buy or sell, here’s the inside scoop on why this spring may be a great time to make your move.

1. There Are More Homes for Sale

After a long stretch of tight inventory, the number of homes for sale is finally improving. According to recent national data from Realtor.com, active listings are up 27.5% compared to this time last year.

Look at the graph below and follow the green line for 2025. You can see, even though inventory levels still haven’t returned to pre-pandemic norms (shown in gray), that number is higher than it has been going into the spring market over the past few years (see graph below):

…

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Mortgage Rates Hit Lowest Point So Far This Year

Posted by The Kombrink Team on March 11th, 2025

If you’ve been holding off on buying a home because of high mortgage rates, you might want to take another look at the market. That’s because mortgage rates have been trending down lately – and that gives you a chance to jump back in.

Mortgage rates have been declining for seven straight weeks now, according to data from Freddie Mac. And the average weekly rate is now at the lowest level so far this year (see graph below):

While that may not sound like a significant shift, it is noteworthy. Because the meaningful drop from over 7% to the mid-6’s can change your mindset when it comes to buying a home. Especially when the forecasts said we wouldn’t hit this number until roughly Q3 of this year (see graph below):

Why Are Rates Coming Down?

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How To Buy a Home Without Waiting for Lower Rates

Posted by The Kombrink Team on February 24th, 2025

Many people are hoping mortgage rates will come down before they buy a home. But will that actually happen? According to the latest forecasts, experts say rates will decline, but not by as much as a lot of people want.

The good news? Even if they don’t drop substantially, there are still ways to make buying a home more affordable.

How Much Will Rates Drop?

A few months ago, experts were forecasting mortgage rates could dip below 6% by the end of the year. But recent projections suggest that may not happen after all.

While mortgage rates are still expected to decline some later this year, projections from Fannie Mae, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), and Wells Fargo now show them stabilizing closer to the 6.5% to 7% range (see below):

…

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Smaller Homes, Bigger Opportunities: The Homebuilder Trend Buyers Love

Posted by The Kombrink Team on January 23rd, 2025

It’s no secret that affordability is tough with where mortgage rates and home prices are right now. And that may have you worried about how you’ll be able to buy a home. But, if you don’t need a ton of space, you may find you have more cost-effective options in an unexpected place: new home communities.

Builders Are Building Smaller Homes 

Since smaller homes typically come with smaller price tags, buyers have turned their attention to homes with less square footage — and builders have shifted their focus to capitalize on that demand. As U.S. News notes:

“The combination of higher home prices and mortgage rates has strained a lot of people's budgets. And that's something builders recognize. To this end, they may be leaning toward smaller spaces .…

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When Is the Perfect Time To Move?

Posted by The Kombrink Team on January 20th, 2025

It’s easy to get caught up in the idea of waiting for the perfect moment to make your move – especially in today’s market. Maybe you’re holding out and hoping mortgage rates will drop, or that home prices will fall. But here’s what you need to realize: trying to time the market rarely works. And here’s why.

There is no perfect market.

No matter when you buy, there’s always some benefit and some sort of trade-off – and that’s not a bad thing. That’s just the reality of it. If you’re not sure you buy into that, think back to the last 5 years in housing.

Just a few years ago, mortgage rates hit a historic low. To take advantage of that, a ton of buyers rushed to buy a home and lock in those lower rates. The side effect? With such a big increase in…

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2025 Housing Market Forecasts

Posted by The Kombrink Team on January 17th, 2025

Some Highlights

• Wondering what to expect when you buy or sell a home this year? Here’s what the experts say lies ahead.
• Mortgage rates are projected to come down slightly. Home prices are forecast to rise in most areas. And, there will be more homes available for sale.
• Want to know more about what this could mean for your plans this year? Let’s connect to discuss your 2025 goals. 

Originally posted at Simplifying The Market.

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How Mortgage Rates Affect Your Monthly Payment

Posted by The Kombrink Team on January 10th, 2025

Some Highlights

• Experts say rates will come down slightly in the year ahead – but some volatility is expected. So, you shouldn't try to time the market.
• Instead, it's better to focus on how even a small change impacts your future mortgage payment. As rates come down, even a little bit, your monthly payment on your next home will too.
• Want to see what this looks like at a different price point? Let’s connect.

Originally posted at Simplifying The Market.

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