homeowners

Mortgage rates in the United States have risen back to 7%, reviving questions about the direction of the housing market. The Wall Street Journal examines what higher borrowing costs mean for buyers, sellers and home prices. With affordability already stretched, analysts and homeowners are weighing whether rates will stay elevated or ease in the months ahead.

Mortgage rates continued a slow climb as of September 28, 2026, according to Fortune's daily rate tracker. The steady upward movement matters for homebuyers weighing whether to lock in a loan now or wait for relief, and for homeowners considering refinancing. Rate-watch coverage remains a staple for consumers tracking affordability as borrowing costs keep drifting higher.

Realtor.com has updated its 2026 housing forecast, projecting that home price growth will cool further and trail the pace of inflation. That would mean houses gaining value more slowly than everyday costs rise, effectively a softening in real home prices. The outlook points to easing pressure for buyers, though existing owners may see wealth accumulation slow.

Hail is inflicting billions of dollars in damage across the United States each year, destroying crops, vehicles, roofs and other property, and climate conditions may be making severe hailstorms more frequent or intense. The report highlights how insurers and homeowners in hail-prone regions face mounting costs, prompting renewed debate over whether the phenomenon is worsening as the climate changes.

Rising housing and land prices in Seoul and other major South Korean regions have led to higher property taxes imposed on owners. The increase is drawing attention from homeowners and market watchers, who are assessing how heftier tax bills will affect household costs and the housing market.

Fixed mortgage rates moved higher again this week, according to a Sunday, September 27, 2026 rate roundup that also tracks refinance rates. The continued upward drift means prospective homebuyers face larger monthly payments, while homeowners weighing a refinance may find less savings than before. Borrowers are being advised to compare lenders and watch rate trends closely.

Home prices in Gilbert, Arizona continue to climb even as buyer demand softens, according to local reporting. The combination of rising prices and weakened demand is drawing attention from residents and prospective buyers weighing whether to enter the market or wait for conditions to cool.

Kansas official Holscher made two stops in Emporia, discussing education funding, property tax relief, and policies on data centers. The visit gave local residents a chance to hear directly about state priorities affecting schools, homeowners' tax bills, and the rapidly growing data center industry. Local radio reported on the appearances as part of coverage of statewide policy debates.

A UK solar panel owner wanted panels specifically designed to perform under the country's frequent overcast winter skies. Off-grid users advised that rather than hunting for specialised cloudy-weather panels, the better approach is to oversize the system, since all panels lose output in low light and extra capacity compensates for seasonal shortfalls.