US Buyers Navigate 14-Month Cost High | Let me put my 30+ years of experience in Lake of the Ozarks real estate to work for you!

Navigating today’s real estate market takes steady hands and clear insight—especially as buyers face the highest monthly payments seen in 14 months, now averaging $2,600 by late-Q3. Mortgage costs continue to climb, and with national median sale prices holding firm near $399,000 (about 2% higher than last year), affordability remains a real challenge for many. It’s no surprise that pending sales have stayed flat month over month and sit lower than a year ago, while mortgage-purchase applications have dipped slightly. Even new listings slowed down a bit—likely a result of holiday timing—but they’re still modestly above last year's levels. In this kind of environment, a seller’s pricing strategy makes all the difference: about 21% of active listings have cut prices, and homes priced strategically are attracting more attention, while overpricing tends to give buyers pause. On the inventory side, we’re seeing some improvement, with active supply up 2% year over year to 1.5 million homes and about four months of supply—though we’re still not quite at a balanced market. With four decades of experience guiding folks through the Lake of the Ozarks market, I’ve seen firsthand how preparation and the right strategy can make all the difference when affordability is tight and competition is keen.