April 30th, 2026

What’s Up With Rates?

Rates are… stuck. Not crashing, not spiking… just kind of pacing back and forth like they’re waiting on a decision from the group chat.

Here’s what’s driving it right now:

The not-so-fun stuff:

Oil is back over $100/barrel (never a great sign for inflation)
Ongoing tension in the Middle East is keeping markets on edge
The 10-year Treasury is creeping toward the top of its range (which usually nudges rates higher)

The better news (yes, there is some):

Rent prices just hit their lowest levels since 2017
→ that helps cool inflation over time
Job growth is slowing a bit
→ also helpful for rates long-term
Home prices? Basically flat right now
→ no crazy spikes adding pressure

So what does that mean in plain English?

We’ve got a bit of a standoff.
Inflation pressures (oil) vs. cooling trends (rent + jobs).

And right now… nobody’s winning.

What I’m watching:
If oil chills out even a little, rates should follow.
If it doesn’t… we’re probably hanging out in this same range a bit longer.

What this means for your buyers:

The market is still moving
Inventory is up
Buyers are adjusting, not disappearing

Same theme we’ve been seeing… just with a little more noise in the background.

Bottom line:
Rates aren’t giving us a big win this week, but they’re not wrecking the party either. And in this market, that’s honestly good enough to keep deals moving.

Now go translate that into confidence for your buyers instead of letting them spiral over headlines. Someone has to be the adult in the room. Might as well be you.

— Brooks

Most people think AI is about to replace half of real estate and lending.

I spend my day inside actual deals… and it’s doing something very different.

I sat down with Tamera Gaede on The Closing Table with Lawyers Title, and we got into what’s really happening right now as AI becomes part of the process.

Short version: it’s a tool… not a decision-maker.

Here’s what we broke down:

The “context” problem
AI can tell you what something is. It can’t tell you how to position it to win a deal or how to structure terms that actually get accepted.
The $225K gap people don’t see coming
Cutting out professionals to “save money” can look smart upfront… until it quietly costs you way more in missed leverage, negotiation, and long-term equity.
Why bridge loans are changing the game in 2026
Buyers using them are showing up cleaner, stronger, and without the usual contingency baggage.
The 5-year itch is real
There are millions of people on the sidelines right now… and a big chunk of them are hitting a point where waiting isn’t really optional anymore.