Market Update: Inflation, Interest Rates, and Local Trends
It is a busy week in the markets! Yesterday’s CPI inflation report showed a slight uptick, largely driven by rising oil prices and the ongoing conflict in Iran. While this news pushed the "10-year yield" higher (which usually drags mortgage rates up with it), there is actually a bit of a silver lining for us right now.
The "Spread" is Saving the Day Normally, when the economy gets bumpy, the gap between government bonds and mortgage rates (the "spread") gets wider, making your loan more expensive.
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Today: Mortgage rates are hovering around 6.4%.
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The Alternative: If we were seeing the same market behavior we saw in 2023, rates would likely be closer to 7.57% right now.
Despite the headlines, our local market is still showing plenty of life. We are noticing that the $700k – $900k price point is currently the most challenging range in Sacramento and surrounding areas, requiring extra preparation and strategy to navigate.
Preparation is everything. Whether you are buying or selling, having a plan before you hit the market is the difference between a headache and a win.
Here's a good example from a recent client:
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