HAR’s first look at October is in, and it’s more of the same: plenty of homes out there, and not many people in a hurry. Inventory is still higher than last year, but fewer new listings hit the market this month. That’s pretty normal as the holidays get closer, and I think the midterms and everything going on with the economy have people sitting tight too. Asking prices dipped a little, averaging around $436,000. Rentals followed suit, with fewer available and rents coming down a bit to about $2,250. If you’re a buyer, you’ve still got options and room to negotiate. If you’re thinking about selling, fewer new listings this time of year can work in your favor. Either way, I’m happy to talk through it with you!

Source: HAR.com FRESH report, November 2, 2026

Should I wait for interest rates to come down?
I hear this one a lot, and I get it. Rates are on everyone’s mind, especially with the midterms coming up and so much uncertainty in the economy. 

Here’s my honest answer: nobody knows exactly where rates are headed, and waiting has its own price tag. If you find the right home at a price that works for your budget, you can always refinance down the road if rates drop. 

Meanwhile, with more homes on the market than we’ve had in a long time, buyers have room to negotiate right now, and that can offset some of the pain of a higher rate. The best move is to run your real numbers and see what makes sense for you. I’m always happy to sit down and do that with you!