The all important spring housing market is well underway, but the war with Iran and its impact on the US economy have thrown a massive wrench in buyer demand. Mortgage rates are much higher than expected and concerns over employment and inflation are front and center. Those concerns were already heating at the end of last year, but the war turned up the gas.Buyers are more concerned about the economy and mortgage rates than they are about home prices. That, according to real estate agents responding to the ...

[music] >> The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate climbed the highest level since September 2025 and the fourth straight weekly increase. As of early April, the daily average is even higher depending on the lender survey. Higher borrowing costs have slightly reduced buyer demand keeping affordability a challenge particularly for first-time homebuyers.Inventory is improving but still tight overall. Active listings are up year-over-year in many metro areas and some major markets have even reached or exceeded ...