Why Did the Fed Rate Cut Lead to Higher Mortgage Rates?

Fed Cut Rates… So Why Are Mortgages More Expensive? 😵

 

📊 Why Did the Fed Rate Cut Lead to Higher Mortgage Rates?


The Fed cut rates by a quarter point, so why did mortgage rates jump instead of falling?  Many assume that these rate cuts directly lower mortgage rates, but that’s not how it works. Mortgage rates actually follow the bond market, specifically the 10-year Treasury yield, not the Fed’s short-term rate.  The Fed’s long-term outlook changed yesterday, and the markets reacted to this negative news—pushing mortgage rates higher.
 



🔍 Here’s What Happened:

 

📈 Inflation Outlook:
The Fed expects inflation to persist into 2025, pushing Treasury yields and mortgage rates higher.

🤔 2025 Rate Cut Expectations:
The Fed reduced its 2025 rate cut projections from four to two, signaling less aggressive cuts ahead.

🏛️ New Administration:
Uncertainty around tariffs and the new administration’s economic policies.  
 

💭 My Take:


The Fed seems lost as they are unclear how the new administration’s policies will play out. They are now signaling fewer rate cuts than originally expected, which means higher interest rates are here to stay for most of 2025. Despite elevated mortgage rates this year, LA County still experienced a 7% price growth.  So, what does this all mean? Don’t wait for a market crash, it’s not likely to happen. 

 

📞 Ready to Take the Next Step?


Jeremiah Vancans
Real Estate Agent
Vancans Group | Compass

jeremiah@vancansgroup.com
vancansgroup.com
CELL: 310-363-1416 
OFFICE: 310-299-9305
DRE: 01944484

Contact Me For:

🏠 Property Alerts:  Get real-time updates on new listings tailored to your preferences. Sign Up for Alerts

📊 Market Activity & Heat Maps: See current home prices, trends, and local market stats. View Market Insights

📋 Seller Reports: Find out your home’s value with a personalized market analysis. Request Seller Report
 

Trusted by Clients: With over 200 five-star reviews, our past clients rave about our exceptional customer service and commitment to transparent transactions. See why we’re their top choice!

REVIEWS
Facebook
Link
VG
Email
VANCANSGROUP.COM

Our mailing address is:
Vancans Group | Compass
8560 Sunset Blvd, 3rd Floor 
West Hollywood, CA 90069

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

L.A. Zoning Plan Keeps 72% of City for Single-Family Homes

72% of L.A. Stays Zoned for Single-Family Homes—What It Means

 

🏠 L.A. Zoning Plan Keeps 72% of City for Single-Family Homes

The Los Angeles City Planning Commission voted to keep 72% of the city’s residential land zoned for single-family homes, restricting where new apartment buildings can be constructed. This decision is part of a state-mandated rezoning effort, as L.A. must plan for over 450,000 new homes by 2029.
 

🔑 Key Takeaways:

  • 🏘️ Zoning Limits: New housing will be built mostly in areas already zoned for apartments, leaving single-family zones largely untouched.
  • 📣 Public Debate: Housing advocates called for more density to combat housing shortages, while homeowners voiced concerns about property values and overdevelopment.
  • 🏞️ L.A.’s limited land and strict zoning will keep new construction low, especially for entry-level homes, driving higher home values and better returns for single-family homeowners.

🏠 New Construction Reality Check

I’ve put together a link to new construction homes under $1.5M in L.A.—but options are limited.  I found one detached single-family home priced at $1.5M, complete with an ADU. Check it out HERE to see what the cheapest new detached home in L.A. looks like right now.  
 

Explore 2024 New Construction Homes in L.A under $1.5M
List of New Homes in L.A over $1.5M


💭 My Take:

Most new construction single-family homes aren’t entry-level anymore. With limited land to build on, the best opportunities for new entry-level homes seem to be in Orange County, San Bernardino, and Santa Clarita—areas with longer commutes and a different lifestyle than L.A.’s urban core.

 

📊 Limited Land for New Homes = Long-Term Appreciation for Single-Family Homes
 

  • 🏡 Protected Suburbs: Most of L.A.'s suburban neighborhoods will remain untouched and limited in supply, preserving their unique character and desirability.

  • 💰 What It Means: Low supply equals higher long-term appreciation for single-family homes as demand continues to rise
     

How to Strategize on this Zoning Decision


Jeremiah Vancans
Real Estate Agent
Vancans Group | Compass

jeremiah@vancansgroup.com
vancansgroup.com
CELL: 310-363-1416 
OFFICE: 310-299-9305
DRE: 01944484
Trusted by Clients: With over 200 five-star reviews, our past clients rave about our exceptional customer service and commitment to transparent transactions. See why we’re their top choice!
REVIEWS
Facebook
Link
VG
Email
VANCANSGROUP.COM

Our mailing address is:
Vancans Group | Compass
8560 Sunset Blvd, 3rd Floor 
West Hollywood, CA 90069

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Pending Home Sales Jump 12.1% Year-Over-Year

Housing Market on the Move: Big Sales Surge and Higher Loan Limits

 

Pending Home Sales Jump 12.1% Year-Over-Year

For the four weeks ending November 24th, U.S. pending home sales increased by 12.1% compared to last year, according to Redfin—the largest surge since May 2021. Despite challenges like rising mortgage rates, activity in the market continues to pick up.


Other key trends include:

  • 📈 Mortgage Purchase Applications: Rose 12% from the previous week, showing stronger demand from buyers.
  • 🚪 Home Tours: Down slightly to a two-month low but still 7% above last year’s levels.
  • 🏠 New Listings: Increased 10.6% year-over-year, the biggest gain since April.


This uptick highlights renewed energy in the market, creating opportunities for both buyers and sellers as we head into the holidays. Check out my article last week about Rates, Prices and 2025 Market Trends.
 

 


2025 Loan Limits Increase for High-Cost Areas

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has raised conforming loan limits for 2025, offering buyers in high-cost areas increased flexibility to finance larger homes or multi-unit properties. These adjustments aim to make homeownership more accessible in pricier markets.


Here’s a breakdown of the new high-cost area loan limits:

  • 🏠 1 Unit: Up to $1,209,750
  • 🏢 2 Units: Up to $1,548,975
  • 🏘️ 3 Units: Up to $1,872,225
  • 🏨 4 Units: Up to $2,326,875


With these increases, buyers can take advantage of larger loans to purchase their dream homes or build their investment portfolios. Want my curated list of lenders to talk about getting preapproved?  Hit me up here and I'll send you my list of preferred lenders.
 

Interested in Buying or Selling?


Jeremiah Vancans
Real Estate Agent
Vancans Group | Compass

jeremiah@vancansgroup.com
vancansgroup.com
CELL: 310-363-1416 
OFFICE: 310-299-9305
DRE: 01944484
Trusted by Clients: With over 200 five-star reviews, our past clients rave about our exceptional customer service and commitment to transparent transactions. See why we’re their top choice!
REVIEWS
Facebook
Link
VG
Email
VANCANSGROUP.COM

Our mailing address is:
Vancans Group | Compass
8560 Sunset Blvd, 3rd Floor 
West Hollywood, CA 90069

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Housing Market Update: Rates, Prices, and 2025 Trends You Need to Know


Mortgage Rates Hit 7%: What’s Next 

The HousingWire reports that the average 30-year mortgage rate climbed to 7.02% this week, marking what many professionals now consider the "new normal." Industry forecasts suggest rates may stabilize between 5.75% and 7.25% in 2025, offering a narrower range of fluctuations compared to recent years. While rising rates pose affordability challenges, buyers can still find opportunities to navigate the market strategically.
 

LA Home Prices See 7% Growth Despite Rising Mortgage Rates

The median price for a single-family home in Los Angeles County rose from $893,650 in October 2023 to $956,210 in October 2024, a 7% year-over-year increase. This growth demonstrates the resilience of the Los Angeles housing market, despite rising mortgage rates. The sustained demand reflects the city’s strong appeal, although buyers are now facing higher costs than they were a year ago. You can explore more about these trends through the California Association of Realtors and Los Angeles Almanac.
 

Steady Growth Predicted for the Housing Market in 2025

📈 2025 Housing Forecasts: Industry experts anticipate continued growth in home prices across the nation.

  • Goldman Sachs: +4.4%

  • HousingWire: +3.5%

  • Wells Fargo: +4.3%

  • Zillow: +2.3%

These forecasts suggest a steady upward trend for home values, reflecting sustained demand despite affordability concerns. With low inventory and less competition, demand for properly marketed properties remains strong. However, listings with poor pricing or subpar presentation can become stale, creating unique opportunities for savvy buyers. Buyers and sellers alike should prepare for a competitive market heading into the new year.

 

Key Points

  • 📈 Rate Update: As of this morning, the average 30-year conforming rate is at 6.95%, while 15-year rates remain steady at 6.37%. Check the latest rate quotes at Mortgage News Daily for updates.

  • 📊 Conforming Loan Limits: For Los Angeles County, the 2025 conforming loan limit for single-family homes is $1,209,750, offering greater borrowing potential in this high-cost region.

  • 🌟 Opportunities: Buyers should target motivated sellers with properties lingering on the market or poorly marketed listings, which can offer room for negotiation.

  • 🎁 Holiday Advantage: Shopping during the holidays often means less competition, allowing buyers to negotiate better deals and secure favorable terms.  Check out my video here on the 4 reasons to buy during the holidays.

Let's Chat!

Trusted by Clients: With over 200 five-star reviews, our past clients rave about our exceptional customer service and commitment to transparent transactions. See why we’re their top choice!

REVIEWS

What is a comp?

What is considered a comp?

  • A true comp is a home that is comparable in square footage, bedroom/bathroom count, lot size, style of home and the list goes on.

How many comps should you look at?

  • Really as many as you want but I typically look at 5 - 10 comps when analyzing a property. Sometimes you need to look at more comps to paint the true picture of what’s going on.

How far back in time should you look?

  • 3 months is ideal but you can go back 6 months. If you go back any further we are looking at a different real estate market and have to make adjustments for time

How far should you look from the property you’re interested in?

  • The closer you are to the house you’re bidding on the better. I typically like to look within 1/2 mile to 1 mile. It’s OK to include a larger area to look within but always consider how it compares to the street and neighborhood of the house you’re bidding on is in.

Other key factors?

  • Average Days on Market

  • Median / Average Price Per Foot

  • Historical Graphs to determine future appreciation

  • % LP/SP (Typically what percentage of list price does the property end up selling at)

  • Active Comps - You need to see how other active listings are performing

  • Historical list history of subject property

Shot, Edited and Music by vancans.com

My CNN Interview on LA Real Estate

My CNN Interview on LA Real Estate


My CNN Interview on LA Real Estate


I’m thrilled to share that I was recently interviewed by CNN to discuss the state of the housing market in 2024. The article dives into how the market has slowed dramatically, particularly in Los Angeles, which has seen the lowest turnover among major metro areas. Several factors are at play here, including changes in the entertainment industry, elevated interest rates, and homeowners hesitant to sell due to their locked-in low mortgage rates. Housing affordability is at an all-time low, especially for first-time home buyers entering the market, as wages have not kept pace with home prices, making it increasingly difficult for many potential buyers. 


Here are some of the main factors affecting the LA housing market:
 

  • Entertainment Industry Slowdown: Streaming service models and lasting impacts from industry strikes have significantly slowed content creation, impacting employment in LA.

  • "Lock-in Effect": Homeowners with low mortgage rates are reluctant to sell, reducing available inventory.

  • High Interest Rates: Elevated mortgage rates are deterring potential buyers, further slowing the market.

  • Inflation Impact: With rising costs across the board, many buyers are feeling the pinch, as high inflation makes it harder to save for a home and manage expenses.

  • Election Uncertainty: The upcoming election is adding to market hesitation, as political uncertainty often causes buyers and sellers to wait before making big decisions.

  • Affordability at an All-Time Low: First-time buyers are struggling as wages haven’t kept pace with home prices, making it harder to enter the market.
     

My Take


In my experience, the LA market isn’t entirely slowing. I’m still dealing with homes that receive multiple offers and sell within 1 to 2 weeks, especially in certain areas and price points. While the market is slower than normal, with low inventory and reduced demand, it’s more flat than collapsing. One of the key factors to watch is interest rates. If rates continue to fall, we could see a significant shift in buyer activity, as many who have been waiting on the sidelines may finally re-enter the market. Lower interest rates would make homes more affordable, which could drive demand and lead to a resurgence in sales. Next year could be a pivotal moment for the market, as falling rates may create the perfect opportunity for buyers to jump back in. However, the fate of the entertainment industry remains an important factor, especially for the local LA market.

 

Buying or Selling?
Let's talk about my creative approach!  😎

Let's Chat!
Jeremiah Vancans
Real Estate Agent
Vancans Group | Compass

jeremiah@vancansgroup.com
vancansgroup.com
310-363-1416
DRE: 01944484
REVIEWS
Facebook
Link
VG
Email
VANCANSGROUP.COM

Our mailing address is:
Vancans Group | Compass
8560 Sunset Blvd, 3rd Floor 
West Hollywood, CA 90069

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Just Listed - 1 bedroom Condo in West Hollywood for $515k

Just Listed Email — Classic marketingcenter--

Just Listed Townhouse in Silverlake Latitudes for $1,079,000

Email Waverly Realscout marketingcenter--

Just Listed in Hollywood Franklin Towers for $729k

Email Franklin Realscout marketingcenter--

Price Reduction - Sherman Oaks Home South of the Blvd for $2.9M

Roblar Price Reduction Agent Email marketingcenter--