Get tomorrow's brief in your inbox
Today: Realtor.com's October 19 national report combines improving buyer leverage with higher financing costs. Columbia buyers should refresh lender estimates, while Richland and Lexington sellers should compare local competition and written builder incentives. Rental-community sponsors should verify HUD eligibility before revising financing plans.
Requalify buyers before the next showing. Realtor.com reports the national 30-year fixed rate at 7.40% on October 8, compared with 6.66% in late August. Obtain an updated written lender worksheet before reusing a September search limit. Include taxes, insurance, and association charges; a national historical rate is not a Columbia borrower quote. National report
Negotiate from neighborhood evidence. The report's national Market Clock reading is 4 o'clock, a balanced market trending toward buyers. Pull Richland and Lexington active competition, pending contracts, reductions, and days on market by neighborhood and price bracket before applying that national picture to a seller's home. Market Clock
Use the next release as an update point. Realtor.com's October 19 schedule lists an investor report for October 21 and weekly housing and outstanding-mortgage updates for October 22. Refresh payment scenarios now, then compare new national data with the team's own showing traffic and offer activity. Publication schedule
Request completed builder inventory directly. Ask builders in the buyer's target area for available completed addresses, completion dates, incentive sheets, and lender restrictions. Verify the specific property and promotion before presenting a discount as available to the client.
Compare concessions by total cost. Have the lender price a reduction, closing-cost credit, and rate buydown on equivalent assumptions. Include fees, cash needed, and the payment after any temporary subsidy expires. Resale agents should obtain the same information for nearby new homes before recommending a seller concession.
Screen cohesive rental communities for FHA eligibility. HUD's Mortgagee Letter 2026-12 admits qualifying build-to-rent properties to Sections 221(d)(4) and 223(f). It requires at least five dwellings on a cohesive contiguous site. Ask an FHA-experienced lender to assess the exact ownership and collateral arrangement. HUD letter
Price the full development plan. Obtain conventional and FHA scenarios covering mortgage insurance, required reserves, approval assumptions, construction costs, and applicable labor requirements. Ask the lender to identify the requirements that affect this project and show how changes in lease-up or expenses alter debt coverage.
Prepare refinancing evidence early. For the letter's Section 223(f) route, HUD specifies recently developed housing with a certificate of occupancy less than three years before application. Assemble occupancy certificates, leases, operating statements, and existing loan documents for review. Keep a backup financing plan until an executable commitment is available. Eligibility details
Start brokerage support conversations. Meet with recent recruits and established producers, ask which operational problem the brokerage can fix, and assign a follow-up owner. Use individual evidence before interpreting changes in production or participation.
Offer an opt-in equity-planning review. Compare staying, downsizing, and selling using estimated net proceeds and replacement-housing costs. Avoid assuming that age or home equity establishes a need to sell. If reverse financing enters the discussion, refer clients to qualified counseling and licensed lenders and verify South Carolina availability and written terms.