The Nadlan Group Real Estate Podcast

Mortgage Rates Edge Up Slightly on January 26, 2026, Still Near Recent Lows

Mortgage rates edged slightly higher at the start of the week, stepping up from the brief lows seen earlier in January. Even so, the broader picture remains encouraging. Borrowing costs are still well below where they began in 2025, keeping opportunities open for both homebuyers and homeowners considering a refinance.
 
According to data from Zillow, the national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is now holding at 6.00%, while the 15-year fixed rate stands at 5.50%. Those levels may not feel “cheap” compared to pandemic-era rates, but by recent standards, they represent a much more workable environment for borrowers.
 
Refinance rates are slightly higher, with the 30-year refinance averaging about 6.12%, yet the gap between purchase and refinance pricing remains relatively narrow. For homeowners who locked in loans during the higher-rate periods of 2024 or early 2025, this still puts refinancing firmly back on the radar—especially if the math works over a reasonable break-even timeline.
 
Looking at the numbers helps put things into perspective. On a $300,000 loan at 6.00%, a 30-year mortgage carries a monthly principal and interest payment of roughly $1,800. That structure keeps payments manageable, which is why the 30-year fixed remains the most popular choice. By contrast, a 15-year loan at 5.50% pushes the payment closer to $2,450 per month, but dramatically reduces total interest paid over the life of the loan. The tradeoff is flexibility versus long-term savings.
 
Adjustable-rate mortgages are also an option, particularly for borrowers who expect to sell or refinance within a few years. However, ARM rates today are often close to fixed rates, making careful comparison essential.
 
The key takeaway is this: while rates have ticked slightly higher, they are still hovering near multi-month lows. For borrowers who are financially ready, this remains a reasonable window to act—especially in a market where rates can change quickly. Preparation, comparison shopping, and clarity about long-term plans matter more than trying to perfectly time the next move.
 
For direct financing consultations or mortgage options for you visit  Nadlan Capital Group. Contact us today for a tailored consultation, where our expert advice turns potential into profitable reality.
 
🔍 If you’re looking to get the best possible mortgage in the U.S. for Foreign Nationals and Americans, and want to run an auction between more than 3,000+ lenders, click here👇
https://nadlancapitalgroup.com/
 
Continue reading on our site: 
https://www.forumnadlanusa.com/2026/01/mortgage-rates-edge-up-slightly-on-january-26-2026-still-near-recent-lows/
#MortgageRates #HomeBuying #Refinance #HousingMarket #InterestRates

Fed Is Likely to Hold Interest Rates Steady, Resisting Trump Pressure What That Means for Borrowers

As 2026 begins, hopes for rapid relief from high borrowing costs are running into reality. Despite mounting public pressure from Donald Trump, the Federal Reserve is widely expected to hold interest rates steady at its first policy meeting of the year. Markets are pricing in almost no chance of an immediate cut, signaling that the Fed is firmly in wait-and-see mode.
 
This isn’t a signal that nothing will change — but it does mean relief is likely to arrive gradually and unevenly.
 
Inflation has cooled from its peak, but it hasn’t fallen far enough to give policymakers full confidence. At the same time, the labor market is softening without breaking, and global risks remain elevated. That combination favors caution. Futures markets, tracked closely by investors, suggest there’s little appetite for preemptive easing right now.
 
Trump has openly criticized the Fed’s approach, including Jerome Powell, arguing that inflation has already been beaten and that high rates are holding back growth. Still, the central bank appears focused on protecting long-term stability rather than responding to political pressure.
 
Not all rates move together. Credit cards and other short-term loans track the Fed most closely, while mortgage rates respond more to inflation expectations and Treasury yields. That’s why mortgage rates have already come down from last year’s highs — even without a new Fed cut — though volatility remains.
 
Auto loans tell a similar story: rates are easing slightly, but rising vehicle prices are doing more damage to affordability than interest costs alone.
 
The Fed’s expected pause sets the tone for 2026: stability over speed. For borrowers, success this year will likely come from preparation — improving credit, managing balances, and shopping carefully — rather than waiting on dramatic policy moves.
 
Patience, not pressure, is driving the start of this cycle.
 
For direct financing consultations or mortgage options for you visit Nadlan Capital Group. Contact us today for a tailored consultation, where our expert advice turns potential into profitable reality.
 
🔍 If you’re looking to get the best possible mortgage in the U.S. for Foreign Nationals and Americans, and want to run an auction between more than 3,000+ lenders, click here👇
https://nadlancapitalgroup.com/
 
Continue reading on our site: 
https://www.forumnadlanusa.com/2026/01/fed-is-likely-to-hold-interest-rates-steady-resisting-trump-pressure-heres-what-that-means-for-borrowers/
#FederalReserve #InterestRates #MortgageRates #HousingMarket #EconomicOutlook

FHFA Expands Mortgage Bond Buying Power, Raising New Risk Questions for Fannie and Freddie

Federal housing officials have quietly approved a major shift in mortgage policy — one that could reshape the bond market, add new risk for taxpayers, and only modestly help borrowers.
 
According to the Associated Press, the Federal Housing Finance Agency has authorized Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to dramatically expand how many mortgage-backed securities they can hold. The move follows pressure from Donald Trump to push mortgage rates lower, but it raises serious questions about oversight and long-term effectiveness.
 
An internal FHFA email revealed that each company can now hold up to $225 billion in mortgage bonds, eliminating previous caps near $40 billion. If fully used, that authority would allow as much as $170 billion more in bond purchases than originally discussed under the administration’s $200 billion plan.
 
The change was implemented quietly, with no clear confirmation that the White House or Treasury formally approved the increase. FHFA Director Bill Pulte later pushed back publicly, saying the move was about “flexibility,” not a commitment to exceed earlier targets.
 
Still, the policy shift is significant. It reverses years of post-2008 safeguards designed to limit risk at Fannie and Freddie after their collapse and federal takeover during the financial crisis. Both firms remain in conservatorship, meaning taxpayers ultimately backstop their losses.
 
Critics argue the strategy may do little to fix the real problem. Senator Elizabeth Warren warned that expanding bond buying won’t meaningfully lower mortgage rates over time and could instead expose the public to greater financial risk — especially without addressing the ongoing housing supply shortage.
 
Housing economists agree that bond purchases can cool rates temporarily, but without more homes for sale, lower rates often translate into higher prices rather than true affordability. In that case, buyers gain little, while leverage and risk quietly build inside government-backed institutions.
 
There’s also speculation that expanding portfolios could boost earnings ahead of a future public offering of Fannie and Freddie shares — but funding those purchases would likely require additional borrowing, increasing exposure at a fragile moment for global bond markets.
 
For now, the move underscores a growing tension in housing policy: the desire for fast relief versus the danger of repeating past mistakes. Whether this delivers lasting mortgage relief — or simply shifts risk into the future — remains an open question.
 
For direct financing consultations or mortgage options for you visit Nadlan Capital Group. Contact us today for a tailored consultation, where our expert advice turns potential into profitable reality.
 
🔍 If you’re looking to get the best possible mortgage in the U.S. for Foreign Nationals and Americans, and want to run an auction between more than 3,000+ lenders, click here👇
https://nadlancapitalgroup.com/
 
Continue reading on our site: 
https://www.forumnadlanusa.com/2026/01/fhfa-expands-mortgage-bond-buying-power-raising-new-risk-questions-for-fannie-and-freddie/
#MortgageRates #HousingPolicy #FannieMae #FreddieMac #RealEstateFinance

Mortgage Rates Face Choppy Week, But Applications Jump to 3 Year High

Mortgage rates faced some headwinds this week as global bond markets reacted to overseas developments and fresh geopolitical concerns. Even so, the bigger story isn’t the recent bump higher — it’s the surge in borrower demand fueled by lower rates earlier this month.
 
The week started with pressure coming from abroad. Bond yields moved higher in Asia and Europe before spilling into U.S. markets. Stress in Japan’s bond market, driven by fiscal concerns, triggered heavy selling of government bonds, and those moves tend to ripple into U.S. Treasurys. When Treasury yields rise, mortgage rates usually follow.
 
Political tension in Europe added to the volatility. Renewed debate around Greenland and tariff threats unsettled investors, and reports that a Danish pension fund trimmed its U.S. Treasury holdings added to short-term uncertainty. While the individual moves were small, together they pushed bond yields higher early in the week.
 
As the days went on, markets began to steady. Economic data releases were limited and still affected by delays tied to the government shutdown, giving traders little new information to react to. That helped prevent rates from climbing further.
 
Importantly, mortgage rates held up better than Treasury yields. Ongoing purchases of mortgage-backed securities helped cushion the impact, keeping mortgage rates from rising as fast as the broader bond market might suggest. Rates aren’t falling quickly anymore, but they’re also not spiraling higher.
 
The earlier drop in rates is already showing up in borrower behavior. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, total mortgage applications jumped to their highest level in nearly four years. Refinancing activity surged, and purchase applications reached their strongest level in about three years, showing that buyers are responding as borrowing costs ease.
 
Looking ahead, next week’s data calendar is relatively light. The main focus will be the Federal Reserve meeting, where no rate cut is expected, but markets will watch closely for signals about March. The next major catalyst will likely be the February 6 jobs report.
 
Bottom line: mortgage rates moved higher this week, but demand remains strong. If rates stabilize or drift lower again, borrower activity could stay elevated as we move deeper into early 2026.
 
For direct financing consultations or mortgage options for you visit Nadlan Capital Group. Contact us today for a tailored consultation, where our expert advice turns potential into profitable reality.
 
🔍 If you’re looking to get the best possible mortgage in the U.S. for Foreign Nationals and Americans, and want to run an auction between more than 3,000+ lenders, click here👇
https://nadlancapitalgroup.com/
 
Continue reading on our site: 
https://www.forumnadlanusa.com/2026/01/mortgage-rates-face-choppy-week-but-applications-jump-to-3-year-high/
#MortgageRates #HousingMarket #InterestRates #HomeBuying #RealEstateTrends

Homeownership Beats Renting in Most Counties, But Rising Prices Complicate the Math

For years, renters have heard the same advice: buying a home is cheaper in the long run. New data shows that’s still mostly true — but with an increasingly important catch.
 
According to ATTOM’s newly released 2026 Rental Affordability Report, owning a home is more affordable than renting a three-bedroom property in a majority of U.S. counties. In nearly 58% of the counties analyzed, the share of income needed to own a home is actually lower than what it takes to rent a comparable property.
 
On paper, that sounds like a clear win for buyers. But in reality, the path to ownership is getting harder.
 
The problem isn’t the monthly payment — it’s the upfront cost. In nearly 70% of counties, home prices rose faster than rents in 2025. That means down payments are getting larger just as many households are already stretched by higher everyday costs. Even when buying would be cheaper month to month, many renters simply can’t clear the cash hurdle to get in the door.
 
Regional differences make the story even clearer. In the Midwest, owning is more affordable than renting in more than 80% of counties. Lower prices and steadier growth keep ownership within reach. The South also performs relatively well. But in the West, owning is more affordable in fewer than 17% of counties, making it the toughest region for buyers by far.
 
At the same time, renting isn’t easy either. In more than three-quarters of all counties studied, renting a three-bedroom home consumes over one-third of local wages. That means many households are squeezed no matter which option they choose.
 
The takeaway is nuanced but important. Homeownership still offers better long-term value in much of the country, thanks to fixed payments and equity growth. But rising prices are turning the down payment into the single biggest barrier, keeping many renters stuck — even when buying would ultimately cost less.
 
Affordability today isn’t just about renting versus owning. It’s about timing, location, and access to upfront capital. And for millions of households, that short-term barrier is now outweighing the long-term math.
 
For direct financing consultations or mortgage options for you visit Nadlan Capital Group. Contact us today for a tailored consultation, where our expert advice turns potential into profitable reality.
 
🔍 If you’re looking to get the best possible mortgage in the U.S. for Foreign Nationals and Americans, and want to run an auction between more than 3,000+ lenders, click here👇
https://nadlancapitalgroup.com/
 
Continue reading on our site: 
https://www.forumnadlanusa.com/2026/01/homeownership-beats-renting-in-most-counties-but-rising-prices-complicate-the-math/
#HousingAffordability #RentVsBuy #Homeownership #RealEstateTrends #HousingMarket

Mortgage Rates Today, January 24, 2026 30 Year Fixed Falls Back to Key 6% Level

Pending home sales ended 2025 on a notably weak note, raising fresh questions about whether the housing market has enough momentum to carry into 2026.
 
Mortgage rates closed the week slightly lower, bringing the 30-year fixed mortgage back to an important psychological level. According to Zillow data, the national average 30-year rate is now 6.00%, while the 15-year fixed rate has eased to 5.50%.
 
For buyers and homeowners who have been watching rates closely, this move matters. It’s not a dramatic drop, but in a market defined by volatility, returning to the 6% level can feel like a meaningful window — especially with uncertainty still ahead.
 
Looking at today’s averages, purchase rates sit at 6.00% for a 30-year loan, just under 6% for a 20-year, and 5.50% for a 15-year. Adjustable-rate mortgages remain higher, with 5/1 and 7/1 ARMs still above 6%. VA loans continue to offer some of the lowest options, with 30-year VA rates in the mid-5% range.
 
Refinance rates remain slightly higher than purchase rates, but they’ve also softened. For homeowners who took out loans in 2024 or early 2025, this level may finally be close enough to justify running the numbers — especially for those looking to shorten their loan term or stabilize payments.
 
Choosing between a 30-year and 15-year mortgage still comes down to cash flow versus long-term savings. The 30-year keeps monthly payments lower and predictable, while the 15-year dramatically cuts total interest but requires a higher monthly commitment. Some borrowers split the difference by taking a 30-year loan and making extra payments when possible.
 
Adjustable-rate mortgages can still make sense for certain buyers, particularly those planning to move or refinance within a few years. But with fixed rates sitting near 6%, the risk-reward gap between ARMs and fixed loans has narrowed.
 
Is this the perfect time to buy or refinance? Probably not — but perfect timing is rare. Rates are well below last year’s highs, price growth has slowed, and conditions are more balanced than they’ve been in years. For borrowers whose finances and plans are ready, this level may be good enough to act rather than wait.
 
Bottom line: mortgage rates are back at a key threshold. Whether this window lasts is uncertain, but for many, 6% is a level worth taking seriously.
 
For direct financing consultations or mortgage options for you visit  Nadlan Capital Group. Contact us today for a tailored consultation, where our expert advice turns potential into profitable reality.
 
🔍 If you’re looking to get the best possible mortgage in the U.S. for Foreign Nationals and Americans, and want to run an auction between more than 3,000+ lenders, click here👇
https://nadlancapitalgroup.com/
 
Continue reading on our site: 
https://www.forumnadlanusa.com/2026/01/mortgage-rates-today-january-24-2026-30-year-fixed-falls-back-to-key-6-level/
#MortgageRates #HomeBuying #Refinance #HousingMarket #RealEstate

Pending Home Sales Slide in December, Casting Shadow Over Early 2026 Housing Outlook

Pending home sales ended 2025 on a notably weak note, raising fresh questions about whether the housing market has enough momentum to carry into 2026.
 
According to National Association of Realtors, signed contracts on existing homes fell 9.3% in December compared with November. That drop sharply defied expectations, as economists had forecast a modest increase. On a year-over-year basis, pending sales were down 3%, signaling that demand remains fragile despite earlier signs of improvement.
 
“The housing sector is not out of the woods yet,” said Lawrence Yun. After several months of better contract activity and closings, the December pullback weakens the near-term outlook and highlights how sensitive buyers remain to market conditions.
 
The slowdown was broad-based. Pending sales declined month over month in every U.S. region. Compared with last year, only the South managed to post a gain, while other regions continued to struggle with affordability constraints and limited housing choices. Buyers are clearly taking more time as well. Homes spent an average of 39 days on the market in December, up from 35 days a year earlier, reflecting growing hesitation even among motivated shoppers.
 
Mortgage rates offered little support. When most of these contracts were signed, the average 30-year fixed rate hovered near 6.25%. While that’s below the highs seen earlier in 2025, the lack of a meaningful drop failed to create urgency or expand affordability enough to pull more buyers off the sidelines.
 
Inventory conditions made matters worse. Just 1.18 million homes were listed for sale nationwide in December, down 9% from November and matching the lowest inventory level recorded in 2025. Although supply was slightly higher than a year earlier, it remains historically tight.
 
As 2026 begins, the message from pending sales is one of caution. Stable but elevated mortgage rates, thin inventory, and lingering economic uncertainty are keeping many buyers in wait-and-see mode. Without a clearer improvement in supply or borrowing costs, early 2026 may continue to feel slow and tentative rather than decisively stronger.
 
For direct financing consultations or mortgage options for you visit  Nadlan Capital Group. Contact us today for a tailored consultation, where our expert advice turns potential into profitable reality.
 
🔍 If you’re looking to get the best possible mortgage in the U.S. for Foreign Nationals and Americans, and want to run an auction between more than 3,000+ lenders, click here👇
https://nadlancapitalgroup.com/
 
Continue reading on our site: 
https://www.forumnadlanusa.com/2026/01/pending-home-sales-slide-in-december-casting-shadow-over-early-2026-housing-outlook/
#GlobalMarkets #USEuropeRelations #TradePolicy #Geopolitics #MarketOutlook

Trump’s Greenland ‘Deal’ Calms Markets — but Leaves Europe Asking Questions

Markets found some short-term relief this week after Donald Trump appeared to step back from his threat to impose new tariffs on several European countries tied to their opposition to his Greenland ambitions. Stocks moved higher on hopes that a fresh transatlantic trade conflict had been avoided. Still, the relief was tempered by uncertainty, as details around what Trump called a “concept of a deal” remained vague.
 
Speaking to CNBC from the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, Trump said he had reached a broad understanding with Mark Rutte, shortly after announcing on social media that tariffs scheduled for February 1 would not move forward. Markets welcomed the pause, but questions quickly followed about what had actually been agreed to.
 
Trump described the discussions as part of a long-term effort tied to U.S. national security and access to strategic minerals, highlighting Greenland’s growing importance as Arctic shipping routes open and competition with Russia and China intensifies. What was missing, however, was confirmation from Denmark or Greenland itself. Neither government publicly acknowledged any agreement, and Rutte later clarified that ownership of Greenland was never discussed, focusing instead on Arctic security concerns.
 
That gap has raised credibility questions. Analysts noted that a deal normally requires clear commitments from all sides, and several described Trump’s comments as more of an opening position than a finalized agreement. Repeated policy reversals, they warned, risk weakening confidence in U.S. leadership and could encourage rivals to test boundaries elsewhere.
 
Some observers believe financial markets, not European diplomacy, drove the shift. Rising global bond yields amid fears of a trade war may have pressured the White House to soften its stance, as higher yields increase borrowing costs and market volatility. From that perspective, the pause was as much about market stability as foreign policy.
 
For now, tariffs are off the table and markets are calmer. But without clear terms or joint statements, uncertainty remains. Europe may have avoided an immediate shock, yet policymakers and investors are left bracing for more volatility as questions around trade, security, and trust continue into 2026.
 
For direct financing consultations or mortgage options for you visit  Nadlan Capital Group. Contact us today for a tailored consultation, where our expert advice turns potential into profitable reality.
 
🔍 If you’re looking to get the best possible mortgage in the U.S. for Foreign Nationals and Americans, and want to run an auction between more than 3,000+ lenders, click here👇
https://nadlancapitalgroup.com/
 
Continue reading on our site: 
https://www.forumnadlanusa.com/2026/01/trumps-greenland-deal-calms-markets-but-leaves-europe-asking-questions/
#GlobalMarkets #USEuropeRelations #TradePolicy #Geopolitics #MarketOutlook

Trump Not ‘Huge Fan’ of Housing Plan to Allow 401ks for Down Payments

Housing affordability is moving to the center of the political stage ahead of the 2026 midterm elections — but not every idea on the table is getting presidential support.
 
This week, Donald Trump signaled clear skepticism toward a proposal that would allow homebuyers to tap their 401(k) retirement savings — without penalty — to fund a down payment. His comments cooled momentum around an idea that had gained attention just days earlier, highlighting how complicated the affordability debate has become.
 
The proposal first surfaced publicly when Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, argued that rising home prices and mortgage rates have made down payments a major barrier. According to Hassett, typical down payments have more than doubled in recent years, leaving many households stuck even if they can afford monthly payments. Allowing penalty-free access to retirement funds, he suggested, could help bridge that gap.
 
But Trump isn’t convinced. Speaking after the World Economic Forum in Davos, he said he’s “not a huge fan” of the idea, stressing that retirement accounts have performed strongly and that protecting long-term savings matters. In his view, encouraging withdrawals could trade one financial problem for another.
 
That tension sits at the heart of today’s housing debate. On one hand, high entry costs are delaying homeownership for millions. On the other, retirement security is already fragile for many Americans. Policies that shift money from future stability to present affordability carry real risks.
 
Politically, the idea still resonates. Housing costs remain a top voter concern, and simple, tangible solutions can be appealing in an election cycle. But economically, the tradeoffs are harder to ignore. Critics warn that tapping 401(k)s could inflate prices further, benefit higher-income households most, and leave buyers less prepared for retirement.
 
For now, Trump’s pushback makes a broad rollout unlikely. And from a market perspective, that may prevent an artificial surge in demand in already supply-constrained markets.
 
The bigger question remains unresolved: how to improve affordability without weakening long-term financial resilience. That answer likely lies less in reshuffling personal savings — and more in expanding supply, stabilizing financing costs, and reducing structural barriers to housing.
 
At Nadlan Capital Group, we see this debate as a reminder that there are no easy fixes — only tradeoffs that must be weighed carefully.
 
For direct financing consultations or mortgage options for you visit  Nadlan Capital Group. Contact us today for a tailored consultation, where our expert advice turns potential into profitable reality.
 
🔍 If you’re looking to get the best possible mortgage in the U.S. for Foreign Nationals and Americans, and want to run an auction between more than 3,000+ lenders, click here👇
https://nadlancapitalgroup.com/
 
Continue reading on our site: 
https://www.forumnadlanusa.com/2026/01/trump-not-huge-fan-of-housing-plan-to-allow-401ks-for-down-payments/
#HousingAffordability #RealEstatePolicy #Homebuyers #EconomicOutlook #NadlanCapital

Another Micro Victory For Mortgage Rates

Mortgage rates aren’t dropping fast — but they are quietly moving in the right direction.
 
After jumping earlier this week, rates have now improved for two days in a row. The change is small, but in a market this volatile, even minor movement matters. Borrowers aren’t getting a dramatic break, but they are getting a pause — and that alone is meaningful.
 
As of today, the average top-tier 30-year fixed mortgage rate has eased to about 6.19%. That’s down slightly from 6.21% on Tuesday, though still above last Friday’s level near 6.07%, before global headlines pushed rates higher. The key point is direction: rates have stopped climbing and are showing signs of short-term stability.
 
What’s notable is what didn’t happen. Despite a busy economic calendar, including GDP data and several reports covering November, bond markets barely reacted. The reason is simple. Most of the data was backward-looking and came in close to expectations. Markets tend to move on surprises — and there weren’t any.
 
Right now, rates are less driven by scheduled reports and more by headlines. Geopolitics, fiscal policy, and inflation expectations continue to have outsized influence. In this environment, a single news event can matter more than a full slate of economic data.
 
These small moves still count. When rates stop rising, buyer confidence can slowly return. Housing markets don’t need perfect rates — they need predictability. Even modest stability can help buyers and homeowners make decisions with more confidence.
 
For buyers, this is a reminder to focus on readiness, not chasing the lowest possible rate. For homeowners watching refinance opportunities, it reinforces the importance of being prepared when short windows open.
Mortgage rates may not be making headlines — but quiet progress is still progress.
 
For direct financing consultations or mortgage options for you visit  Nadlan Capital Group. Contact us today for a tailored consultation, where our expert advice turns potential into profitable reality.
 
🔍 If you’re looking to get the best possible mortgage in the U.S. for Foreign Nationals and Americans, and want to run an auction between more than 3,000+ lenders, click here👇
https://nadlancapitalgroup.com/
 
Continue reading on our site:
https://www.forumnadlanusa.com/2026/01/another-micro-victory-for-mortgage-rates/
#Inflation #FederalReserve #PCEDeflator #US_Economy #InterestRates