Mortgage rates are rising again, and it could reshape the 2026 spring housing market. In this episode of Let’s Talk Housing, economist Brennen Thomas and housing expert Steven Thomas from Reports On Housing break down why rates are moving higher, the impact of rising oil prices, and what it means for homebuyers and sellers. They also address concerns about stagflation, new legislation targeting institutional investors, and why housing demand may resemble the last three years. If you want data-driven insights into the real estate market, this episode provides a clear breakdown of what to expect next.Got questions? Drop them in the comments or email us at [email protected] for a chance to have them featured in a future episode!Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction

02:06 Housing Supply Demand Update

02:19 Expected Market Time Explained

03:22 How Fast the Housing Market Is Moving

04:13 Transition Into Spring Housing Market

05:01 Why Spring Inventory Always Surges

05:35 Mortgage Rates Move Back Toward 6.5%

06:12 CPI and PCE Inflation Reports Explained

06:47 Weak Jobs Report Impact

07:28 Oil Prices Driving Mortgage Rates Higher

08:28 Mortgage Rates Rising Quickly

09:27 Global Events Impacting Housing Market

10:18 Gas Prices and Economic Pressure

10:30 Stagflation Concerns Explained

11:07 What Real Stagflation Looks Like

12:05 Oil Prices Impact Food and Supply Chains

13:09 Why Mortgage Rates Should Have Fallen

13:55 Institutional Investor Housing Bill

14:26 Impact on Build-To-Rent Housing

15:27 How Policy Could Reduce Home Construction

16:26 Why Institutional Investors Are Not the Main Buyers

16:48 Housing Market Positives for Buyers

17:38 Entry Level Inventory Increasing

18:24 Possible Tepid Spring Housing Market

19:14 2026 Housing Demand Outlook

20:12 Why Housing Prices Should Stay Stable

21:05 Conclusion