Friday, January 2nd, 2026
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About this listen
Mortgage Morning — Friday, January 2, 2026
Axios 2026 outlook: Mortgage rates are broadly expected to stay around 6.3% in 2026, with affordability improving only modestly.
Named forecasts:
- Realtor.com: rates average 6.3%, home prices +2.2%, existing-home sales 4.13M (+1.7%), inventory +8.9%.
- Redfin: rates average 6.3%, median home-sale price +1%.
Regional divergence: Strength is increasingly concentrated in parts of the Northeast and Midwest, while some South/West markets face slower growth and more friction in new development.
Builders & supply: National builder numbers hide big regional differences; luxury and custom segments remain more resilient than entry-level.
HUD update: FHA set the 2026 HECM maximum claim amount at $1,249,125 (up from $1,209,750).
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