**The Accunet Mortgage and Realty Show - Halloween Edition 2025**

This week’s spooky surprise? Mortgage rates rose *after* the Fed cut rates—for the fourth time in a row. Brian and David Wickert explain why Chair Powell’s press conference spooked markets more than the rate cut helped, and what it means for your financing options.

**Real Client Wins:**

A Milwaukee-area buyer beat 10 competing offers on a $500K+ home using strategic appraisal waivers and smart negotiation—proving competitive markets still favor prepared buyers with solid financing.

Another homeowner locked in a refinance at 6.375% (from 6.99%), saving monthly without realizing they’d been sitting “in the money” for months. If your rate is 6.99% or higher on a loan over $250K, you might be leaving savings on the table.

A first-time buyer secured a $10,000 forgivable grant through Wisconsin’s county consortium—but navigating the Wednesday-only inspections and strict requirements required careful coordination between buyer, seller, and lender.

**Market Reality Check:**

National inventory is up just 4% from pre-pandemic levels, but local markets tell wildly different stories. Denver? Up 96%. Milwaukee? Down 38%. Your neighborhood matters more than national headlines.

Whether you’re refinancing, buying competitively, or maximizing down payment assistance, the Accunet team is ready to advise and assist.