Over the past few years, affordability has been one of the biggest hurdles for homebuyers—especially in competitive markets like North County San Diego. With home prices climbing and mortgage rates following suit, many buyers have felt caught in a tough spot.
But there’s a bit of good news on the horizon. While affordability is still a challenge, mortgage rates have started to stabilize in recent months. For buyers in North County San Diego, that could mean a little more breathing room—and a much better opportunity to plan your next move with confidence.
Mortgage Rates Have Stabilized – For Now
Over the past year, mortgage rates have had their share of ups and downs, making it tough for buyers to know what to expect. But recently, rates have started to level out and have settled into a more narrow range (see graph below):
As the graph shows, rates have stayed within that half-percentage-point since late last year. Yes, there’s been movement within that range, but wild swings and sudden ups and downs just haven’t been the story lately. And that’s a bigger deal than you may realize. As HousingWire explains:
“Analysts, economists and mortgage professionals are coining this quarter’s activity as one of the most “calm” periods for mortgage rates in recent memory.”
How This Helps Today’s Buyers
Let’s be real. Unpredictability makes it tough to plan ahead. When rates are bouncing around and making big jumps week to week, it’s easy to be intimidated. But with rates staying in a pretty steady range over the past several months, you have a clearer picture of what your potential monthly payment could look like. That makes moving feel less uncertain – and more doable.
So, stop waiting. And start planning. Even though rates may not be where you want them to be right now, they have been much less volatile for quite some time.
Will This Stability Last?
According to the experts, it looks like stability might hang around for a bit. Rates may come down ever so slightly in the months ahead, but it’ll likely be a slow and mild change. As Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com, says:
“I expect a generally downward trend for rates this year, but at a slow enough pace that it might not be noticeable in any given month.”
So, if you’ve been holding out for the perfect mortgage rate, the best advice is to avoid trying to time the market. It may not look terribly different than the opportunity you already have in front of you. As Jeff Ostrowski, Housing Market Analyst at Bankrate, explains:
“Trying to time mortgage rates is really difficult. There’s no guarantee that rates are going to be any more favorable in three months or six months.”
And if we look at the latest expert forecasts that go out a bit further, even those tell much of the same story. Two out of the three projections say rates will still likely be in the mid-6% range by the end of 2026 (see graph below):
This puts today’s buyers in a much better spot. As Sam Khater, Chief Economist at Freddie Mac, explains:
“Mortgage rates have moved within a narrow range for the past few months . . . Rate stability, improving inventory, and slower house price growth are an encouraging combination . . .”
Just keep in mind, mortgage rates are still influenced by shifting economic conditions, inflation, and other market factors—so they can change again. But for now, we’re seeing a bit more stability, and in a high-demand area like North County San Diego, that added predictability can open the door to real opportunity.
Bottom Line
While affordability is still a factor, we’re finally seeing a shift—the rollercoaster of rates is leveling out, and that’s a big deal if you’ve been eyeing a move in North County San Diego. Whether it’s Carlsbad, Encinitas, or San Marcos, having a clearer picture of the market makes it easier to plan smart—not guess.
If you’ve been holding off, now’s a great time to take a closer look. At Shafran Realty Group, we’ll walk you through real-time numbers and local trends so you can see what a monthly payment actually looks like—no fluff, just facts tailored to your goals.