{"id":6430,"date":"2026-05-27T10:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T10:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sandpointrealtyidaho.com\/blog\/2026\/05\/27\/the-truth-about-affordability-today\/"},"modified":"2026-05-27T10:30:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T10:30:00","slug":"the-truth-about-affordability-today","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sandpointrealtyidaho.com\/blog\/2026\/05\/27\/the-truth-about-affordability-today\/","title":{"rendered":"The Truth About Affordability Today"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"The\n

Let\u2019s be real with each other for a second about affordability. Because you deserve someone who will be honest and transparent about what\u2019s going on, especially if you\u2019ve got a move on your mind.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the full picture of what\u2019s happening and why. The good \u2013 and the bad. So, you know what it truly means for your move. Because while rates are certainly a big part of affordability, they\u2019re not the only factor at play.<\/p>\n

Mortgage Rates Have Been Rising<\/strong><\/h4>\n

After a year or more of rates trending down, they\u2019ve started to climb again<\/a>. And, if you\u2019re looking to buy, that\u2019s not what you want to see. But it has <\/em>happened. And here\u2019s why.<\/p>\n

Uncertainty is the enemy of mortgage rates.<\/strong><\/p>\n

And with lingering global uncertainty, ongoing tensions in the Middle East, and inflation refusing to fully cool off, there\u2019s a lot that\u2019s having an effect on rates. Colin Robertson, Founder of The Truth About Mortgage<\/em>, put it plainly:<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t have $100 a barrel oil and not expect inflation to rise, which translates to higher bond yields and mortgage rates.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Take a look at the graph below. It uses data<\/a> from Mortgage News Daily<\/em> to show just how much all of those factors have had an impact:<\/p>\n

\"aIt\u2019s a pretty sharp contrast from where we\u2019ve been, in a relatively short window. And it\u2019s probably making you wonder: Should I just wait this out? Will rates fall when the uncertainty eases<\/em><\/strong>?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s possible. But it all depends on how the ongoing geopolitical conflict plays out and whether inflation continues to run hot afterwards \u2013 and for how long.<\/p>\n

Rates probably aren\u2019t heading down until both of those things improve. And even when that does happen, experts agree rates likely won\u2019t be dramatically lower \u2013 maybe in the low to mid-6s. That\u2019s the reality, and it\u2019s worth knowing.<\/p>\n

So, should you wait for lower rates<\/em>?<\/strong> The general consensus is, if you can afford to buy and you find a home you like, it\u2019s still worth it. Because no one knows for sure when rates will start to come back down \u2013 and how long do you really want to put your life on hold?<\/p>\n

Wages Are Outpacing Home Prices<\/strong><\/h4>\n

You\u2019ve probably heard that inflation is making everything more expensive, and there\u2019s no shortage of headlines about the cost-of-living outpacing paychecks. It\u2019s a legitimate concern. And maybe you\u2019re feeling the pinch yourself. But here\u2019s what doesn\u2019t make the headlines. It\u2019s not all bad news.<\/p>\n

Data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta<\/em><\/a> and Redfin<\/em> shows wages have actually been growing faster than home prices.<\/p>\n