If you’re planning to buy, refinance, or sell a home in 2026, one key number could impact your financing options — the new conforming loan limit . Let’s break down what it means, how it changed, and why it’s especially important for Bay Area homeowners and buyers  this year. 💡 What Is a Conforming Loan Limit? The conforming loan limit (CLL)  determines the maximum amount you can borrow with a conventional mortgage  that’s eligible for purchase by Fannie Mae  or Freddie Mac  

After years of high mortgage rates and hesitant buyers, the housing market is finally showing signs of life. Sellers are returning. Buyers are re-engaging. And for the first time in a long while, there’s real movement again. It’s not a sudden boom — but it is  a steady shift. One that’s laying the foundation for a stronger, more balanced housing market in 2026. So, what’s behind the comeback? Let’s look at three key trends shaping the housing market right now. 1. Mortgage Rat

Are You Stuck in the 'Wait and See' Trap? Many prospective buyers are currently holding their breath, waiting for mortgage rates  to dip just below 6%. The logic is simple: who wouldn't want a better rate? While seeking optimal home affordability  is smart, this "wait and see" approach is often based on a misunderstanding of the current housing market  dynamics. That small rate drop you’re hoping for might not save you as much as you think—and waiting for it could cost you fa

The Federal Reserve’s recent decision to cut interest rates by a quarter point  is offering a glimmer of relief for the housing market. Mortgage rates have dropped again — averaging 6.17% for the week ending Oct. 30 , according to Freddie Mac. That’s the fourth straight week  of declines. While the Fed doesn’t directly control mortgage rates, its actions often influence them — especially adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) , which tend to react more quickly to rate changes. What

Mortgage rates have been the monster under the bed for a while. Every time they tick up, people flinch and say, “Maybe I’ll wait.” But here’s the twist. Waiting for that perfect 5-point-something rate could end up haunting your wallet later. The Magic Number According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR): “. . . a 30-year fixed rate mortgage of 6% would make the median-priced home affordable for about 5.5 million more households—including 1.6 million renters. If r

If you paused your plans to move because of high rates or prices, it may finally be time to take a second look at your numbers. Affordability is improving in 39 of the top 50 markets, according to First American. And that’s the 5th straight month where buying a home has started to get a little bit easier. Let’s break this down into real dollars, so you can see the difference this could make for you (and your move). Monthly Payments Are Coming Down One of the clearest signs

After a couple of years where the housing market felt stuck in neutral, 2026 may be the year things shift back into gear. Expert forecasts show more people are expected to move – and that could open the door for you to do the same. More Homes Will Sell With all of the affordability challenges at play over the past few years, many would-be movers pressed pause. But that pause button isn’t going to last forever. There are always people who need to move. And experts think more

You want mortgage rates to fall – and they've started to. But is it going to last? And how low will they go? Experts say there’s room for...

Determine if a mortgage assumption is a viable option for selling your home. If your home has been sitting on the market with little...

Mortgage rates are finally heading in the right direction – and buyers are starting to jump back in. According to the data, buyer demand...

The Federal Reserve (the Fed) meets this week, and expectations are high that they’ll cut the Federal Funds Rate. But does that mean...

Key Takeaways Mortgage rates just saw their biggest one-day drop in over a year. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate  is now around...

If you’ve been watching the market, you’ve likely noticed a few changes already this year. But what’s next? From home prices to mortgage...

Mortgage rates are still a hot topic – and for good reason. After the most recent jobs report came out weaker than expected, the bond...

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Over the past few years, affordability has been the biggest challenge for homebuyers. Between rapidly rising home prices and higher...

It’s hard to let go of a 3% mortgage rate. There’s no question about it. It’s the main reason why so many homeowners have delayed their...

If you’re a first-time homebuyer, you might feel like the odds are stacked against you in today’s market. But there are resources and...

A lot of buyers are pressing pause on their plans these days, holding out hope that mortgage rates will come down – maybe even back to...

If you’ve been house hunting lately, you’ve probably felt the sting of today’s mortgage rates. And it’s because of those rates and rising...