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

Mortgage costs have reached a 14-month high, with the typical monthly payment now at $2,600 for US buyers by late Q3. Despite these rising costs, median sale prices held steady, ticking up about 2% year-over-year to $399,000. That’s added further pressure to affordability and kept pending sales fairly flat compared to last month and lower than last year. Mortgage-purchase applications have dipped slightly, and while new listings saw a modest month-over-month drop (likely holiday-related), they still remained a bit higher than the same period in 2025. This is a market where seller strategy really counts: about 21% of active listings made price cuts, and sharper pricing consistently attracts more interest—while overpricing can stall momentum. Inventory has seen a slight improvement, with active supply up about 2% year-over-year to 1.5 million homes, bringing supply close to 4 months. Still, we’re not quite at a balanced market. After four decades in the Lake of the Ozarks real estate, I’ve found that staying attuned to these shifts and helping clients navigate pricing and negotiation makes all the difference in smooth, stress-free transactions.