3 Things That Are Not Going To Happen in Today's Housing Market

There’s a lot of uncertainty right now and that’s leading to some dramatic headlines. And if you’re thinking about buying a home, that can make you feel a little less sure about your decision.

A recent study by CNBC asked homebuyers what they’re most worried about, and three themes kept coming up again and again:

• Mortgage rates
• The number of homes for sale
• Home prices

But a lot of what you may be hearing on those is based more on misconceptions. Not facts. So, let’s break it down and separate fact from fiction.

Misconception #1: “I’ll Just Wait, Because Mortgage Rates Are Going To Fall Dramatically”

One idea doing its rounds on social is that mortgage rates are going to drop dramatically soon. So, it’s better to wait to…

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Wondering If You Should Still Buy a Home Right Now? Here’s What To Keep in Mind.

With economic headlines, global events, and near constant talk about affordability, you may be wondering if this is the right time to move. But here’s what you need to remember.

While recent events do have some impact on the housing market, they don’t take buying off the table. You just have to use a different strategy.

Mortgage Rates Have Been Up Slightly – Here's Why

After trending down for most of 2025, mortgage rates have been higher again for over roughly a month now. And experts say it’s a result of what's happening overseas and in the broader economy. As Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, explains:

“Mortgage rates have recently moved higher, driven by geopolitical uncertainty and rising energy costs that are…

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You Can’t Control What’s Happening with Mortgage Rates. But You Can Control This.

Mortgage rates have been volatile lately. And if you’re thinking about buying a home, that can make it harder to plan. But there are still things you can do to get the best rate possible in today’s market. It starts with having the right information.

So, what’s causing the bumps in rates? And what can you do about it? Let’s break it down.

Mortgage Rate Volatility Is Normal

Data from Freddie Mac shows the recent volatility. After trending down for well over a year, there was a rise this month (see graph below): 

While it’s easy to be distracted by the changes, here’s what you need to remember.

It’s normal for rates to bounce around a bit here and there. For example, if you look back at the graph, you’ll see that even within the…

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Should You Wait for Lower Rates?

Mortgage rates have already dropped into the upper 5s twice this year. But after just a few days, they ticked back up into the low 6% range. If you saw that and thought, “Great. I missed it,” you’re not the only one.

A lot of buyers are treating the 5s like some kind of magic number. As if moving from 6.1% to 5.99% suddenly changes everything. And from a mindset perspective, it does feel different.

But here’s the part most people don’t actually run the math on.

The Payment Difference Isn’t What You Think

Let’s say you’re looking at a $500,000 home loan. At 6.1%, generally speaking, your principal and interest payment is roughly $3,030 per month. At 5.9%, it’s about $2,966 per month.

That’s a difference of only $64 a month.

Not…

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Mortgage Rates Dip Below 6% - What That Really Means for Brookings Home Buyers

Big headline this week:
Mortgage rates have dipped below 6% for the first time in a while.

Now before this turns into banker math and spreadsheets, let’s talk about what this actually means from a real estate agent’s perspective — especially here in Brookings, South Dakota.

At Home Team 605 pwrd by Krogman & Company Real Estate, we don’t just watch rate charts. We watch behavior. And when rates shift, buyer behavior shifts with it.

Why a Sub-6% Mortgage Rate Matters

Even a small drop in mortgage rates can change the tone of the market.

Here’s what we typically see when rates dip:

• Buyers who were “waiting” start scheduling showings

• Pre-approvals get updated

• Conversations turn from “maybe later” to “let’s…

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Top 3 Reasons To Buy a Home Before Spring

If you’re planning to buy a home this year, you may be focused on the spring market. And hoping that when spring does hit, you’ll see:

• Mortgage rates drop a little more.
• More homes hit the market.

But here’s what most buyers don’t realize. Buying just a few weeks earlier could mean paying less, dealing with less stress, and feeling less rushed.

Here are three reasons why accelerating your timeline over the next few weeks could actually be a better play.

1. Holding Out for Lower Rates May Not Pay Off 

A lot of buyers are hoping mortgage rates will fall even further. But that’s not the best strategy. Here’s why. Experts are pretty aligned on this: rates are expected to stay roughly where they are.

Forecasts throughout the…

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Is the Brookings Real Estate Market Finally Normalizing? What This Week's Data is Telling Us

For the past few years, the real estate market has felt anything but normal. Rapid price increases, low inventory, bidding wars, and higher mortgage rates kept buyers and sellers guessing.

But here’s the big question making headlines this week across the real estate world:

Is the housing market finally starting to normalize in 2026?

At Home Team 605 pwrd by Krogman & Company Real Estate, we’re seeing signs that the answer may be yes—especially here in Brookings, South Dakota.

Let’s break down what “normalizing” actually means and why it matters to you.

What Does a “Normal” Real Estate Market Look Like?

A normal or balanced housing market typically includes:

• Reasonable days on market

• Fewer bidding wars

• …

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It’s Getting More Affordable To Buy a Home

There’s finally a little good news for anyone who’s been priced out or sitting on the sidelines.

Buying a home is getting more affordable.

Monthly payments have started to come down, and the squeeze buyers have been feeling for the past few years is slowly loosening. Now, that doesn’t mean everyone can suddenly afford a home, but with how tough the market’s been, the improvement we’re seeing matters.

Affordability Is Finally Moving in the Right Direction

One of the best ways to see this shift is by looking at how much of a household’s income it takes to buy a home.

According to Zillow, housing is typically considered affordable when it takes 30% or less of your monthly income to cover your expenses.That includes your mortgage…

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Mortgage Rates Pulled Back Again: What a Small Dip Means for Brookings Home Buyers

If you’ve been watching mortgage rate headlines lately, you probably noticed something important this past week: rates dipped again. Not drastically—but enough to get buyers talking.

And here’s the truth we’re seeing every day at Home Team 605 pwrd by Krogman & Company Real Estate: even a small change in mortgage rates can have a big impact, especially here in Brookings, South Dakota.

Let’s break down what’s happening and what it really means for local buyers and sellers.

What Happened with Mortgage Rates This Week?

Over the past week, national mortgage rates eased slightly after holding steady for a while. We’re not talking about a massive drop—but even a quarter-point change can shift buying power and monthly payments.

This type of…

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Mortgage Rates Recently Hit a 3-Year Low. Here’s Why That’s Still a Big Deal.

If you’re one of the thousands of homebuyers waiting for rates to fall, you should know it’s already happening. And they recently crossed an important milestone. Rates officially dipped their toes into the 5s – something that hasn’t happened in about 3 years.

This moment marked a critical threshold. Now, rates are sitting in the low 6% territory. And expert forecasts project they’ll hover near this range throughout the year.

Here's why that’s so good for you.

Why Current Rates Are Such a Big Deal

A mortgage rate doesn’t just affect the interest you end up paying on your home loan. It shapes your entire buying experience.

When rates were up around 7% just one year ago, a lot of buyers felt priced out. Payments were higher. Budgets…

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