A Shaky Housing Market Is a Great Time to Rent

Real estate gets sold as a sure thing. Lately, it's been anything but.

Mortgage rates have whipsawed all year. Freddie Mac's 30-year average dipped to 5.98% in late February 2026, then climbed to 7.4% by early October. On a loan for a median-priced home with 20% down, that swing adds more than $300 to the monthly payment.

Home prices are wobbling too. In the third quarter of 2026, prices fell in 21% of U.S. metro areas, according to the National Association of Realtors, and the national median rose just 1.7% from a year earlier.

When you own, a down market can box you in. Selling means paying agent commissions and closing costs, and if your home is worth less than you owe, selling can mean bringing cash to the table.

When you rent, your options stay open. When your lease is up, you can move on for a new job, a growing family or a fresh start. No listing, no showings and no waiting on a buyer.

Let the market sort itself out. In the meantime, enjoy a clean, comfortable home and keep your money flexible.

Sources: Freddie Mac weekly mortgage survey, as reported by the Associated Press (Nov. 5, 2026); National Association of Realtors, Q3 2026 metro home prices report (Oct. 29, 2026). Payment estimate assumes a 30-year fixed loan for 80% of the $432,900 national median price.