Author: Jocelyn Minier

Mortgage rates are higher than earlier in 2026, yet remain below 2025 levels, supporting more buyers today as qualification paths improve overall.
Lower rates are expected to allow more potential buyers to qualify for mortgages and move forward with financing plans as conditions improve.
The condominium market is showing stabilization, with improved affordability drawing buyers back and condos outperforming single-family price gains in some metros recently.
Price gains can boost housing wealth for many homeowners, while relatively affordable Midwest markets remain important areas for buyers in today's planning conversations.
Potential buyers may find more workable mortgage paths as lower rates improve qualification odds, especially where affordability is drawing buyer interest again.

New York recently enacted a statewide ban on new large AI data centers, showing how strongly the issue has entered housing and neighborhood conversations.
The move reflected how politically charged data center development has become, as homebuyers increasingly treat nearby large facilities as a meaningful neighborhood consideration.
Across the broader housing conversation, resistance has extended beyond noise or looks, with attention turning to traffic and pressure on power and water systems.
The issue also has moved earlier in buyer conversations, with some shoppers asking whether major data center construction is planned near homes they consider.
For New York housing professionals, the development highlights a practical point: infrastructure questions can shape neighborhood appeal, so early site-specific due diligence matters.

From September 27 to October 3, buyers were expected to see the strongest national mix of inventory, softer pricing, lighter competition, and slower market speed.
During that window, active listings could reach ↑31.9% versus the year's start and ↑13.3% versus the avg. week, expanding choice nationwide for buyers.
Listing prices were projected 3.5% below their seasonal peak, translating to ~$14K in possible savings on a median-priced US home near $416K.
Competition was historically ↓30.1% from its annual peak, while homes were expected to spend ~64 days on market, giving buyers more time.
The backdrop favored buyers: listings kept growing yearly, demand softened, and experts said earlier fall may widen choice while later fall may improve price flexibility.

Fed raised its key rate 0.25% to 3.75%-4%, its first hike since July 2023.
Officials signaled another hike may come this year, as inflation remains above the Fed’s 2% target.
The next Fed meeting is October 27-28, 2026, when officials will reassess inflation and economic conditions.