The Fed just hit pause, but the risk of higher rates hasn’t gone away. If you’re a first-time home buyer waiting for mortgage rates to drop, there’s more to this decision than the headline. Inflation, rising borrowing costs, and growing housing inventory are creating a market where affordability remains challenging, but buyers may have more room to negotiate. 🏡 Thinking about buying your first home? Take our FREE Homebuyer Readiness Quiz to find out where you stand and what to focus on next:https://buyrightborrowsmart.com/quiz In this live episode of The Educated HomeBuyer, Jeb Smith and Josh Lewis break down the Federal Reserve’s decision to hold interest rates steady, the disagreement among Fed officials, and why another rate hike remains possible. We explain how inflation, oil prices, the 10-year Treasury yield, and mortgage spreads influence mortgage interest rates, including why a Fed rate hike doesn’t automatically mean higher mortgage rates. We also cover our regular housing market updates, including national inventory, new listings, pending home sales, price reductions, and local trends in Orange County and Huntington Beach. With more homes sitting on the market and buyer demand remaining subdued, we discuss where buyers are gaining leverage and why conditions still vary by location, property, and price point. During our live Q&A, we get into the practical side of buying a house: making an offer below asking price, using comparable sales to support your offer, negotiating seller-paid closing costs, and evaluating mortgage buydowns. We also discuss comparing Loan Estimates, spotting uncompetitive mortgage quotes, and why choosing the right real estate agent and lender can make a meaningful difference in your home buying experience. In this episode, we cover: What the Fed’s pause means and what could influence its next decision.Why mortgage rates can move differently from the federal funds rate.How inflation, oil prices, Treasury yields, and mortgage spreads affect borrowing costs.Growing housing inventory and what it means for first-time home buyers.Whether the market is shifting in favor of buyers.How to make an aggressive offer supported by comparable home sales.Negotiating price reductions, seller credits, and closing cost assistance.What to consider before choosing a temporary or permanent mortgage buydown.How to compare mortgage quotes and evaluate your home buying team.You don’t need to predict the next Fed decision to start preparing for homeownership. Understanding your budget, financing options, and local housing market can help you recognize an opportunity when it fits your situation. Our goal is to give you the education to buy right, borrow smart, and build wealth. FREE resources and next steps: ✅ Take the FREE Homebuyer Readiness QuizFind out whether you’re ready to buy, getting close, or have a few things to work on first.https://buyrightborrowsmart.com/quiz 🏡 Ready to become a homeowner? Start your stress-free journey today.Connect with our team for help planning your next steps, understanding your mortgage options, or finding a trusted real estate professional in your area.https://www.theeducatedhomebuyer.com/start 🎓 FREE Online Workshop: Your Guide to Buying a Home in 2026Learn how to prepare for the home buying process and make informed decisions along the way.https://www.theeducatedhomebuyer.com/workshop 💬 Have a home buying or mortgage question?Visit BuyRightBorrowSmart.com and use the “Ask a Question” feature. Subscribe to The Educated HomeBuyer for first-time home buyer tips, mortgage education, and weekly housing market updates. Share this episode with someone preparing to buy a home, and leave a rating and review if you found it helpful. Buy Right. Borrow Smart. Build Wealth.
