Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The housing market continues to improve for home buyers as sellers continue to cut prices. Is this a sign for more to come? Should you buy or wait?
Start Here 👇🏻
✅ Ready to become a homeowner? Start your stress-free journey today: jebsmith.net/start?video=EA1RIk14KOQ
==============================================
Housing market update for this week: inventory finally topped last year (841,000 homes vs 831,000), sellers are getting realistic on price, and mortgage rates sit at 6.65%. Josh Lewis and Jeb Smith break down what it means for buyers, then answer your questions live.
In this episode: national and Orange County inventory, new listings and pending sales, price reductions at 39%, mortgage spreads at 2.02, jobs week data (JOLTS, ADP, and tomorrow's payrolls report), Cleveland Fed inflation nowcast, real home prices by state from Visual Capitalist, and California's proposed AB 736 transfer tax that would take the fee on a median-priced home from $1,023 to $27,907.
We answer YOUR mortgage and real estate questions LIVE every Wednesday. Drop a question in the comments or join us live next show. This week: seller concessions on second homes, roof replacement cost, blue tape walkthroughs on new construction, realtor commission, FHA vs VA vs conventional offers, PMI, and when a refinance makes sense.
New podcast episode every Monday. Next week: our mortgage rate forecast for the second half of the year. Search "The Educated HomeBuyer" on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.
Chapters:
0:00 Housing Market Update: Inventory Finally Tops Last Year
9:45 Jobs Week: JOLTS, ADP + Payrolls Preview (Strong or Weak?)
12:38 Real Home Prices, New Inflation Data + Fed Hike Odds
17:50 Mortgage Rates Today: 6.65%
18:55 LIVE Q&A: Ask Us Anything Mortgage or Real Estate (Every Wednesday)
19:25 Q: Max Seller Concessions on a Second Home?
20:35 Q: Who Builds the Cheapest New Construction Homes?
22:20 Q: Roof Replacement Cost, What a 50-Year Shake Roof Really Runs
23:55 Q: New Construction Tips, Winning the Blue Tape Walkthrough
27:50 Q: Realtor Commission, How It Works and Is It Negotiable?
31:20 Q: FHA vs VA vs Conventional, Which Offer Should a Seller Pick?
36:25 Q: Is a $1,000 HOA Document Fee Normal When Selling?
37:50 California's Proposed Transfer Tax: $1,023 to $27,907 (AB 736)
39:42 Q: Can I Beat a 6.2% Rate With 780 Credit and 3% Down?
43:00 Q: Pay Down PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) or Wait It Out?
45:40 Q: Coaching a Buyer Who Wants to Offer Below the Competition
50:20 Q: Is It a Good Time to Refinance at 6.2%?
51:00 Q: 75 Days on Market, Is That Normal Right Now?
==============================================
Watch This Next 👇🏻
➡️The Housing Market Just Flipped Against Sellers - youtube.com/live/SjI34z2Ve20
==============================================
Want to Connect with me 👇
Jeb Smith (huntington beach Realtor/orange county real estate)
DRE 01407449
Real Broker
#HousingMarket #InterestRates #LIVE
The housing market continues to improve for home buyers as sellers continue to cut prices. Is this a sign for more to come? Should you buy or wait?
Start Here 👇🏻
✅ Ready to become a homeowner? Start your stress-free journey today: jebsmith.net/start?video=EA1RIk14KOQ
==============================================
Housing market update for this week: inventory finally topped last year (841,000 homes vs 831,000), sellers are getting realistic on price, and mortgage rates sit at 6.65%. Josh Lewis and Jeb Smith break down what it means for buyers, then answer your questions live.
In this episode: national and Orange County inventory, new listings and pending sales, price reductions at 39%, mortgage spreads at 2.02, jobs week data (JOLTS, ADP, and tomorrow's payrolls report), Cleveland Fed inflation nowcast, real home prices by state from Visual Capitalist, and California's proposed AB 736 transfer tax that would take the fee on a median-priced home from $1,023 to $27,907.
We answer YOUR mortgage and real estate questions LIVE every Wednesday. Drop a question in the comments or join us live next show. This week: seller concessions on second homes, roof replacement cost, blue tape walkthroughs on new construction, realtor commission, FHA vs VA vs conventional offers, PMI, and when a refinance makes sense.
New podcast episode every Monday. Next week: our mortgage rate forecast for the second half of the year. Search "The Educated HomeBuyer" on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.
Chapters:
0:00 Housing Market Update: Inventory Finally Tops Last Year
9:45 Jobs Week: JOLTS, ADP + Payrolls Preview (Strong or Weak?)
12:38 Real Home Prices, New Inflation Data + Fed Hike Odds
17:50 Mortgage Rates Today: 6.65%
18:55 LIVE Q&A: Ask Us Anything Mortgage or Real Estate (Every Wednesday)
19:25 Q: Max Seller Concessions on a Second Home?
20:35 Q: Who Builds the Cheapest New Construction Homes?
22:20 Q: Roof Replacement Cost, What a 50-Year Shake Roof Really Runs
23:55 Q: New Construction Tips, Winning the Blue Tape Walkthrough
27:50 Q: Realtor Commission, How It Works and Is It Negotiable?
31:20 Q: FHA vs VA vs Conventional, Which Offer Should a Seller Pick?
36:25 Q: Is a $1,000 HOA Document Fee Normal When Selling?
37:50 California's Proposed Transfer Tax: $1,023 to $27,907 (AB 736)
39:42 Q: Can I Beat a 6.2% Rate With 780 Credit and 3% Down?
43:00 Q: Pay Down PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) or Wait It Out?
45:40 Q: Coaching a Buyer Who Wants to Offer Below the Competition
50:20 Q: Is It a Good Time to Refinance at 6.2%?
51:00 Q: 75 Days on Market, Is That Normal Right Now?
==============================================
Watch This Next 👇🏻
➡️The Housing Market Just Flipped Against Sellers - youtube.com/live/SjI34z2Ve20
==============================================
Want to Connect with me 👇
Jeb Smith (huntington beach Realtor/orange county real estate)
DRE 01407449
Real Broker
#HousingMarket #InterestRates #LIVE
