Denver changed everything (and we’ve got the receipts)

(from Read more here

The government might be shut down, but mortgage rates? Still locked in.

Two weeks into the federal shutdown, the housing market has entered a weird in-between zone: plenty of uncertainty, zero panic. As of Tuesday, 30-year conforming loans averaged 6.38%, unchanged from last week. Jumbo loans dipped to 6.26%, and FHA loans stayed flat at 6.20%.

So, the market’s holding steady even while Washington naps through another funding vote.

But that calm could fade fast. Without key reports like the September jobs data, the Fed is basically flying blind heading into its next policy meeting. Melissa Cohn of William Raveis Mortgage called it a “data void,” noting that missing numbers make it harder for policymakers to decide whether to cut or hold.

Meanwhile, borrowers are quietly winning. Samir Dedhia of One Real Mortgage says rates have hovered near year-long lows three times in five weeks, sparking renewed buyer interest and a surge in applications. Refinance activity is also up 18% year-over-year, now making up more than half of all mortgage applications, a sign homeowners are finally seizing the chance to lock in savings.

Even with a sleepy Capitol, the housing market is waking up. Inventory remains 17% higher than last year, prices are cooling, and experts expect the Fed to trim rates again soon, possibly by 25 bps in both October and December.

If Washington’s standing still, it might be the perfect time for buyers to move.

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Southern Heat: The 5 Markets Everyone’s Moving To

(from GoBankingRates.com)

Turns out the South isn’t just hot in temperature, it’s heating up the housing charts, too.

Real estate pros say five Southern cities are about to dominate 2026, blending affordability, job growth, and lifestyle appeal that’s pulling in everyone from first-time buyers to snowbirds to investors.

• Jacksonville, FL tops the list with 22 miles of beaches, military demand, and home prices still well below South Florida’s madness.
• Orlando, FL continues to boom with its expanding job base, growing immigrant population, and a housing market still “cheap” compared to Miami.
• Charlotte, NC is holding steady thanks to its financial hub status and a temporary price dip that’s giving buyers a rare entry point.
• Greenville, SC might be the sleeper hit, a walkable, mid-sized city with surging healthcare and automotive sectors that’s drawing both retirees and young professionals.
• Atlanta, GA remains the South’s heavyweight, balancing massive growth in logistics, film, and tech with affordable suburban options that investors love.

Between beaches, BBQ, and booming metros, the South might just be the only region where housing is still getting warmer.

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