Blog Post

June 5, 2026
Airs live on YouTube
June 5, 2026

Why "I'll Wait for Rates to Drop" Is Becoming a Riskier Strategy

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A lot of buyers are sitting on the sidelines waiting for rates to drop. After this week, that bet just got harder.

The May jobs report blew past expectations. 172,000 new jobs versus 85,000 expected, with prior months revised higher too. That is the third labor reading in a row pointing to a strong economy. Good news overall, but strong data pushes bonds lower and mortgage rates higher.

So why does this matter for buyers waiting on lower rates? Because the Fed isn't cutting anytime soon. Their next meeting is June 16-17, and they are widely expected to hold steady. A strong economy gives them no reason to rush.

Meanwhile, the housing market itself is healthier than most people realize. Purchase applications are running 7% above last year. Inventory is still below pre-pandemic levels in 35 states, which keeps a solid floor under home values. Buyers waiting for prices to drop are waiting for something the data doesn't support.

Here is what is actually working: buying the right home now and refinancing later if rates improve. Many buyers who purchased in 2025 were able to refinance 0.5% to 0.75% lower earlier this year before the war started. They didn't time the rate. They timed the home.

The buyers in the strongest position right now aren't the ones watching rates every day. They are the ones who found the right home and made their move.

If you want clarity on what buying could look like for you this year, we’re happy to walk through the numbers anytime.

Featuring:

Rate Source: MortgageNewsDaily.com

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*The Mortgage News Daily index attempts to capture the most prevalently quoted conventional, FHA, and VA 30-year fixed rates for highly qualified homebuyers that meet the appropriate down payment requirements and have no major loan-level price adjustments.

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Mortgage News Daily is a trademark of Mortgage News Daily, LLC. CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC; its subsidiaries; and its affiliates have not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Mortgage News Daily, LLC or any of the above-mentioned companies.

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