Mortgage rates are rising again, and it could reshape the 2026 spring housing market. In this episode of Let’s Talk Housing, economist Brennen Thomas and housing expert Steven Thomas from Reports On Housing break down why rates are moving higher, the impact of rising oil prices, and what it means for homebuyers and sellers. They also address concerns about stagflation, new legislation targeting institutional investors, and why housing demand may resemble the last three years. If you want data-driven insights into the real estate market, this episode provides a clear breakdown of what to expect next.Got questions? Drop them in the comments or email us at brennen@reportsonhousing.com for a chance to have them featured in a future episode!Time Stamps:
00:00 Introduction
02:06 Housing Supply Demand Update
02:19 Expected Market Time Explained
03:22 How Fast the Housing Market Is Moving
04:13 Transition Into Spring Housing Market
05:01 Why Spring Inventory Always Surges
05:35 Mortgage Rates Move Back Toward 6.5%
06:12 CPI and PCE Inflation Reports Explained
06:47 Weak Jobs Report Impact
07:28 Oil Prices Driving Mortgage Rates Higher
08:28 Mortgage Rates Rising Quickly
09:27 Global Events Impacting Housing Market
10:18 Gas Prices and Economic Pressure
10:30 Stagflation Concerns Explained
11:07 What Real Stagflation Looks Like
12:05 Oil Prices Impact Food and Supply Chains
13:09 Why Mortgage Rates Should Have Fallen
13:55 Institutional Investor Housing Bill
14:26 Impact on Build-To-Rent Housing
15:27 How Policy Could Reduce Home Construction
16:26 Why Institutional Investors Are Not the Main Buyers
16:48 Housing Market Positives for Buyers
17:38 Entry Level Inventory Increasing
18:24 Possible Tepid Spring Housing Market
19:14 2026 Housing Demand Outlook
20:12 Why Housing Prices Should Stay Stable
21:05 Conclusion
