How’s the war with Iran impacting mortgage rates and the housing market?

Last week we saw the lowest mortgage rates in 3 years as rates slid down to 5.99% and stayed below 6% for a week.  Then Trump launched a War over the weekend and by Monday mortgage rates jumped back up to 6.13%

Economic uncertainty tends to have a chilling effect on the housing market as buyers and homeowners hit pause and delay their plans. So let’s take a look at where things stand today in Columbia County NY in the Residential real estate market. 

One of the most common questions I hear from homeowners in Columbia County is:

“Is now a good time to sell — or should I wait?”

It’s a fair question. And it’s one that rarely has a simple yes-or-no answer.

In this market, timing isn’t just about the calendar. It’s about readiness — yours and the market’s.

If you’re thinking about selling a home in Columbia County, one of the first things you’ll probably do — understandably — is look up your home’s value online.

Most sellers do.

And while those tools can be a starting point, this is where I’ve seen people get unintentionally led off course.

If you’re thinking about selling a home in Columbia County, the most important thing to know is this:

There is no single Columbia County market.

What buyers do, what they pay attention to, and how homes actually sell can vary dramatically from town to town — sometimes from one road to the next.

Before you think about pricing, timing, or even when to list, it helps to understand how this market really works.

1st Market Update of 2026 and final recap of 2025 stats for Columbia County, NY and some brief thoughts on affordability and where the market might be headed in 2026.

Have you been thinking it's time for a move, either downsizing, moving up, or relocating? Have you been thinking about selling your home but not sure where to start? Are you just curious about what your home is worth today in the current real estate market

Have you been thinking it's time for a move, either downsizing, moving up, or relocating? Have you been thinking about selling your home but not sure where to start? Are you curious if everything you’ve heard recently about the real estate market is true?   🏡💰🤔

Is it time to downsize? Are you thinking about selling your home and moving on?

Or

Are you running out of space and thinking it’s time to move up into a larger home? Wondering how to navigate buying and selling at the same time?

Come to my next seller seminar and learn everything you need to know to get your home ready to sell and what to expect from listing to closing.

Owning a home means having a place that’s solely your own and provides the space, features, and location you and your loved ones need. But what happens when your needs change? If this hits home for you, it may be time to make a move.

Over the last year, the housing market’s gone through significant change. While it’s still a sellers’ market, homes that are priced right are selling, and they get the most attention from buyers right now. If you’re thinking of selling your house this spring, it’s important to lean on your expert real estate advisor when it comes to setting a list price.

So…if you’re thinking of selling this spring — here are 8 things you need to do now to make sure your home is ready to stand out against the competition, attract the widest audience of buyers and earn you top dollar.

Buying a home is super exciting and a really big deal. It’s arguably the largest financial investment you’ve made to date. You have your act together in all areas of your life, but homeownership is a new frontier. You’ve been so focused on getting to the closing table, you might not have given much thought to what happens next.

So once you’ve signed on the dotted line, follow these 10 tips for homeowning like a pro:

Over the last few years, we’ve fully embraced the meaning of our homes as we spent more time than ever in them. As a result, the emotional benefits our homes provide have become even more important to us.

“Sellers who don’t have to move won’t be moving. The most common sellers will be: Homeowners downsizing . . . people moving to get more space, [households] looking for better schools…etc.”

So, if you’re on the fence about selling your house, consider the other reasons homeowners are choosing to make a move.

Thinking of selling in 2023? Want to know what your home is worth?Attend our FREE Seller Seminar on Saturday, February 25th at 10am at Beach & Bartolo Realtors in Chatham

On average, nationwide, home prices appreciated by 288.7% over the last 32 years.

Last year, the housing market slowed down in response to higher mortgage rates, and that had an impact on home prices. If you’re thinking of selling your house soon, that means you’ll want to adjust your expectations accordingly.

If you own a luxury second home that isn’t being used as much anymore, now’s the time to sell. There are still buyers in the market who are looking for a home like yours today.

Owning a home is a major financial milestone and an achievement to take pride in. One major reason: the equity you build as a homeowner gives your net worth a big boost. And with high inflation right now, the link between owning your home and building your wealth is especially important.

Homeownership Is Historically a Great Hedge Against Inflation

In an inflationary economy, prices rise across the board. Historically, homeownership is a great hedge against those rising costs because you can lock in what’s likely your largest monthly payment (your mortgage) for the duration of your loan. That helps stabilize some of your monthly expenses. Not to mention, as home prices continue to appreciate, your home’s value will too.