Six months into 2026, it’s time for a reality check.
In this candid mid-year podcast hosted by Mike Nelson, I’m joined by Paul Gusiff (Southern California real estate veteran) to compare our January predictions against today’s market.
Rates climbed higher than expected, inflation proved stickier, and global events—especially tensions in the Middle East—shook up the bond market.
We break down the numbers on unemployment, Fed policy, home appreciation, and the new Fed Chair’s impact, while sharing real-world insights from the trenches.
Despite the challenges, we see a few reasons for optimism: motivated buyers, meaningful seller concessions (including rate buydowns into the 5% range), and a stable environment where well-priced homes are still moving.
Here’s the link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/78PRfZ4I84xQugabPsfGhX
This is a critical window for first-time buyers and anyone looking to build generational wealth through real estate.
If you want honest, transparent analysis and practical advice for your next move—tune in now.
Reach out to me directly—I’d love to talk strategy and explore how we can best take advantage of market conditions to help you succeed.
As always, you can set up an appointment with me here…
The blog postings on this site represent the positions, strategies or opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent the positions, strategies or opinions of Starlight Mortgage. Each loan is subject to underwriter final approval. All information, loan programs, interest rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Always consult an accountant or tax advisor for full eligibility requirements on tax deductions.
