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Mortgage Rates

Mortgage rates strain homebuyer affordability as agent optimism drops in September

Elevated mortgage rates are keeping buyers on the sidelines and dragging real estate agent sentiment into negative territory, according to a survey by Real REMAX Group.

FTMQ Real Estate, written by our newsroom0 views

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Picture: MPA Magazine

Two-thirds of real estate agents across the United States report that high mortgage rates are forcing home buyers to pause their purchasing plans, MPA Magazine reported. A September survey conducted by Real REMAX Group showed that housing affordability has reached its most strained level since tracking began, while market sentiment and transaction volume both worsened compared to August. [1]

The Real REMAX Group Agent Optimism Index fell to 45.8 in September from 54.3 in August, according to MPA Magazine. This drop moves the index below the 50-point mark that separates positive market sentiment from negative sentiment. Mortgage Professional America also published coverage on agent warnings regarding elevated interest rates. [1][2]

The survey also revealed a decline in sales activity, with the company Transaction Growth Index falling to 40.3 in September from 44.6 in August, MPA Magazine reported. Out of the 177 real estate agents surveyed nationwide, 52 percent reported completing fewer transactions than in the previous month. [1]

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In short

  • Two-thirds of agents surveyed say elevated mortgage rates are pushing buyers to the sidelines.
  • The Real REMAX Group Agent Optimism Index dropped to 45.8 in September from 54.3 in August.
  • 52 percent of the 177 surveyed agents reported fewer transactions than in the prior month.
  • Housing affordability reached its most strained level since tracking began.

Sources

Every paragraph above points to the numbered items it rests on. Read the originals here.

  1. [1]Agents warn of 2027 price drops if mortgage rates stay highMPA Magazine, 4d ago (the report this story comes from)
  2. [2]Agents warn of 2027 price drops if mortgage rates stay highMortgage Professional America, 4d ago
  3. [3]Will AI Agents Run Amok Across Business Information in 2027?European Business Magazine, 4d ago
  4. [4]AI Agents Will Change Marketing Teams in 2027. Here’s How Leaders Can Prepare.Entrepreneur, 4d ago
  5. [5]From the Paranormal to AI Agents: Booking.com Reveals APAC Travel Trends for 2027Branding in Asia, 5d ago
  6. [6]AI Agents for Accounting Firms: Top Companies Building Custom Automation (2027)Nerdbot, 5d ago

Background

  1. [7]AI bubble on Wikipedia

Our newsroom writes these reports with the help of software, from the 7 sources listed and nothing else, and checks them against those sources. Facts can still be wrong or move on; the originals are the record. Spotted a mistake? Write to daniel@monsterkong.com.

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Earlier reports of ours on the same people and subjects.

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