The Lock-In Effect Has Defined the Last Two YearsFor much of the past few years, the housing market has been explained by one phrase: the lock-in effect. Homeowners with ultra-low mortgage rates didn’t want to sell, inventory stayed tight, and buyers faced limited options.The assumption has been sim...

For nearly a century, the 30-year fixed mortgage has been the backbone of the American housing market. It brought stability, predictable payments, and the ability to refinance when rates dropped. Today, more than 90% of homeowners hold a 30-year mortgage and more than 80% of them locked in rates bel...

When the Fed reduces its benchmark rate, you’ll often hear headlines like “Mortgage rates will fall right away!” That’s a nice sound-bite. But if you’re buying or selling a home — especially in the Raleigh/Chapel Hill/Durham market — you should know: the connection between the Fed’s move and your mo...