Category: Mortgage Rates

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Myth vs. Reality: Does the Fed Control Mortgage Rates?

Written by St. Augustine Mortgage Syndicated User on October 13, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Agent Value, Buying Tips, Economy, For Buyers, For Sellers, Mortgage Rates, Selling Tips, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Mortgage.

You’ve probably heard the Federal Reserve (the Fed) is raising rates again. And if you’re planning to buy or sell a house, you may be wondering what that means for you.With all the headlines, it’s easy to think the Fed sets mortgage rates. That’s actually a common myth. But the Fed’s decisions can still have an impact on them.So, where does that leave you? The next few months could get a little bumpy. But the Fed is playing the long game. And with the right plan, you can still make a move that works. Let’s break it down.Why the Fed Is Raising RatesIt all comes back to...

What Higher Mortgage Rates Mean for Home Sellers

Written by St. Augustine Mortgage Syndicated User on October 4, 2026. Posted in For Sellers, Mortgage Rates, New Construction, Selling Tips, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Mortgage.

Higher mortgage rates don’t just affect buyers. They can change what it takes to sell your house, too.That’s because today’s buyers are paying close attention to affordability. And when rates rise, even a relatively small change can make a noticeable difference in their monthly payment. So, they’re looking for ways to make the numbers work. And in some markets, new construction is giving them exactly that.If you’re planning to sell, that doesn’t mean you can’t compete. But it does mean you need to understand what builders are doing to win over...

The Mortgage Rate You See Online Isn’t Necessarily the One You’d Get.

Written by St. Augustine Mortgage Syndicated User on October 4, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Buying Tips, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Mortgage Rates, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Mortgage.

You may have seen the headlines saying mortgage rates have climbed to the highest point since January 2025. And if that’s left you reluctant to buy a home, here’s what you need to remember… That’s not necessarily the number you’d get. It’s a common misconception that the rate you see in the headlines is the same one you’d get when you buy. The truth is, mortgage rates shift often, and the rate you actually end up with can vary a lot from what you may see or hear about. What Determines Your Real Rate? Advertised rates and “real rates” aren’t always the...

Worried About a Housing Crash? The Numbers Tell a Calmer Story.

Written by St. Augustine Mortgage Syndicated User on August 27, 2026. Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, Home Prices, Inventory, Mortgage Rates, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Mortgage.

A recent survey from Talker Research asked Americans to pick one word to describe how 2026 has felt so far. The winner? Stressful. And honestly, there’s been a lot going on.So, it’s understandable if you’ve been putting off buying or selling a home until things settle down. But you may be waiting on something that’s already happened. While everything else has felt shaky, the housing market has become one of the steadiest things out there. Look at the data.Home Prices Have Leveled OutAfter years of fast increases, data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows home...

Here’s Why Mortgage Rates Are What They Are Right Now

Written by St. Augustine Mortgage Syndicated User on August 13, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Economy, For Buyers, For Sellers, Mortgage Rates, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Mortgage.

If you’re waiting for mortgage rates to fall a lot before you buy, you may be waiting a while. But before you get discouraged, there’s a number working behind the scenes that’s actually good for you right now. It’s called the spread, and once you understand it, you may see today’s rates in a whole new light.The Pattern That’s Held for 50+ YearsFor starters, mortgage rates don’t move on their own. They tend to follow the 10-year treasury yield, a number tied to how investors feel about the economy.It’s not an exact science, since plenty of other factors can move...

Thinking About Waiting for Lower Mortgage Rates? Read This First.

Written by St. Augustine Mortgage Syndicated User on August 7, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Buying Tips, Economy, For Buyers, Forecasts, Mortgage Rates, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Mortgage.

Imagine waiting a year to buy a home, only to find mortgage rates haven’t changed much. That may sound frustrating.But it’s a real possibility.A lot of people are putting their plans on hold because they believe much lower mortgage rates are right around the corner. But, based on today’s forecasts, that may not happen. And you should know that before you decide what to do.Let’s look at why experts don’t expect a dramatic drop in rates – and the options that could help you buy anyway. Because even if rates don’t fall, you can still move. Here’s how.1. Mortgage...

3 Things That Are Not Going To Happen in Today’s Housing Market

Written by St. Augustine Mortgage Syndicated User on April 23, 2026. Posted in For Buyers, Home Prices, Inventory, Mortgage Rates, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Mortgage.

There’s a lot of uncertainty right now and that’s leading to some dramatic headlines. And if you’re thinking about buying a home, that can make you feel a little less sure about your decision.A recent study by CNBC asked homebuyers what they’re most worried about, and three themes kept coming up again and again:Mortgage ratesThe number of homes for saleHome pricesBut a lot of what you may be hearing on those is based more on misconceptions. Not facts. So, let’s break it down and separate fact from fiction.Misconception #1: “I’ll Just Wait, Because Mortgage Rates Are Going To Fall...

Wondering If You Should Still Buy a Home Right Now? Here’s What To Keep in Mind.

Written by St. Augustine Mortgage Syndicated User on April 13, 2026. Posted in Affordability, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Mortgage Rates, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Mortgage.

With economic headlines, global events, and near constant talk about affordability, you may be wondering if this is the right time to move. But here’s what you need to remember.While recent events do have some impact on the housing market, they don’t take buying off the table. You just have to use a different strategy.Mortgage Rates Have Been Up Slightly – Here’s WhyAfter trending down for most of 2025, mortgage rates have been higher again for over roughly a month now. And experts say it’s a result of what’s happening overseas and in the broader economy. As Mark Fleming, Chief...

Thinking About an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage? Here’s What You Need To Know.

Written by St. Augustine Mortgage Syndicated User on April 8, 2026. Posted in Buying Tips, For Buyers, Mortgage Rates, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Mortgage.

If you’ve been looking for a home lately, you’ve probably felt how tough affordability still is. And that’s exactly why more buyers are opting for adjustable-rate mortgages, or ARMs.Here’s what you need to understand about how they work, and whether they make sense for you.What Is an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage?Since a lot of people aren’t familiar with this type of loan, let’s start with a definition. This is how Business Insider explains the main difference between a fixed-rate mortgage and an adjustable-rate mortgage:“With a fixed-rate mortgage, your interest rate remains the...

You Can’t Control What’s Happening with Mortgage Rates. But You Can Control This.

Written by St. Augustine Mortgage Syndicated User on March 25, 2026. Posted in Buying Tips, For Buyers, Mortgage Rates, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Mortgage.

Mortgage rates have been volatile lately. And if you’re thinking about buying a home, that can make it harder to plan. But there are still things you can do to get the best rate possible in today’s market. It starts with having the right information.So, what’s causing the bumps in rates? And what can you do about it? Let’s break it down.Mortgage Rate Volatility Is NormalData from Freddie Mac shows the recent volatility. After trending down for well over a year, there was a rise this month (see graph below): While it’s easy to be distracted by the changes, here’s what you need to...