6.11% Rates, Seller Fatigue, and 2026

[Rob Bergeron]

This morning, two segments of the market really stood out:

There are 40 multifamily properties that have been on the market 90+ days. At that point, carrying costs add up, timelines stretch, and sellers tend to become far more open to real conversations.

https://www.flexmls.com/share/DDJvE/39-multi-list

There are also 190 single-family homes that have been sitting for 100+ days. That kind of time on market often signals urgency—whether it’s financial, personal, or simply fatigue.

https://www.flexmls.com/share/DDJvL/39-multi-list

Interest rates are sitting at 6.11%, and local inventory is around 3,230 active listings. Higher rates plus longer days on market create pressure. Pressure creates flexibility. That’s where opportunities tend to show up.

I’ve also had a noticeable increase in people reaching out for comps. Some are just trying to understand value. Others are thinking more strategically about selling one or two assets and reallocating into more passive plays—industrial, warehouses, or simpler income with fewer moving parts. That rotation is happening more quietly than headlines suggest, but it’s real.

Agents have been reaching out as well. Many are finding themselves with extra time and fewer inbound needs. The question I keep hearing is, “What are you doing to stay busy?” Those conversations have been some of the most productive lately. This market rewards initiative and creativity far more than waiting.

Yesterday alone, I had six people ask for my DSCR lender, and I've made several CPA introductions this week. Having the right tools and relationships matters, especially when qualification standards and deal structures are shifting.

There’s also been strong interest in the Red River Gorge project we’re working on, particularly after it was named one of the top five fastest-growing real estate markets in the country. That momentum has been very real.

On the macro side, the data is mixed but telling.

Inflation fell to 2.7%.
GDP growth is at its strongest pace since 2023.
Incoming Fed leadership is signaling openness to additional rate cuts.
Oil prices are at their lowest level since 2021.

At the same time, October and November saw the loss of 983,000 full-time jobs, the lowest full-time employment level since late 2021. Only 78.2% of the labor force is currently employed full-time, while part-time employment increased by more than one million.

That matters. Mortgage qualification is changing as the gig economy continues to grow. With student loan wage garnishments on the horizon, some people will list properties not because they want to, but because they need to reset and clear the board.

This is why flexibility wins right now. Optionality wins. People who can pivot, structure creatively, or simply see a few moves ahead tend to do very well in environments like this.

December has already been my busiest month of the year for meetings, which tells me interest is ramping up beneath the surface.

I hope everyone has an incredible Christmas. I’m genuinely excited about 2026. If you don’t yet have a reason to be excited about next year, schedule a call and let’s build a game plan that gives you something real to look forward to.