It’s been a bit of a 🎢 week in the mortgage and financial worlds. Between the Federal Reserve’s latest pause and shifting global news, it is incredibly easy to get caught up in the national headlines.
But grab a ☕, take a breath 😌, and let’s look at the actual market data for the week ending March 20, 2026.
The numbers paint a resilient picture for the spring market—especially right here in Texas.
The Numbers: Context is Everything
Yes, mortgage rates saw a slight bump this week. Here is where we currently stand:
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The Average Rate: The 30-year fixed rate averaged around 6.22% this past week.
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The Year-Over-Year Win: While it hurts to see rates tick up week-over-week, we are still sitting about half a percentage point lower than we were exactly a year ago.
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The Fed Pause: As expected, the Federal Reserve opted to hold its benchmark rate steady at 3.5% to 3.75%. They are taking a “wait-and-see” approach, relying heavily on upcoming economic data.
The Local Advantage: A Solid Buyer’s Market
The best news coming out of the latest MBS Highway Housing Index is that buyer activity is officially expanding. People are realizing that this low-to-mid 6% range is our new normal, and they are moving forward with their plans.
More importantly for our local area, we are currently operating in a solid buyer’s market.
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More Options: Inventory is steadily improving across Magnolia and Montgomery County.
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More Power: Affordability is shifting slightly, giving buyers more room to negotiate than they had during the frantic seller’s markets of the past few years.
Bottom Line: Stay Calm and Buy Smart
We aren’t seeing a market crash; we are simply seeing a messy normalization.
Don’t let national panic dictate your local real estate strategy. Meaux Jeaux and I are keeping a close eye on the daily market updates so you don’t have to stress about them. If you are thinking about making a move this spring, the smartest first step is to get a clear, personalized look at your specific numbers.
Reach out today, and let’s build a strategy that works for you.
Sal Trapani Owner | MJ Mortgage LLC 281-608-2846 sal@mjmortgagellc.com www.mjmortgagellc.com NMLS #1055510 | Company NMLS #2381195 Magnolia, TX 77354