Sunrise Homes & Renovations, Inc.

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – February 23rd, 2026

by

The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation indicator has come in showing that inflation is still running hotter than expected. This creates a difficult position for the Federal Reserve as it tries to balance interest rate cuts while managing inflation at the same time. Despite previous rate adjustments, inflation has remained stubbornly high.

It remains to be seen whether any monetary policy will be able to curb the recent trend as it stands. This was also accompanied by a 0.4% increase in personal income, which has been the status quo for some time now. Inflation outpacing wage growth has been a major concern on most consumers’ minds. Lastly, GDP has grown by an unexpected amount, showing that the economy still has room for growth for the foreseeable future.

GDP
The U.S. expanded at a subpar 1.4% annual pace in the fourth quarter of 2025, depressed by a long federal shutdown that caused government spending to plunge. Still, the economy grew at a solid 2.2% rate for all of 2025, a fifth straight year of above-average growth, the latest report on U.S. gross domestic product showed. GDP is the official scorecard for the economy.

PCE Index
The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge showed that prices rose close to 3% in 2025, leaving the central bank with more work to do to get cost-of-living increases back down to prepandemic lows. The personal consumption expenditures index rose 0.4% in December, the government said Friday in a report delayed by federal shutdowns.

Primary Mortgage Market Survey Index

  • 15-Year FRM rates saw a decrease of -0.09%, with the current rate at 5.35%
  • 30-Year FRM rates saw a decrease of -0.08%, with the current rate at 6.01%

MND Rate Index

  • 30-Year FHA rates saw an increase of 0.01%, with current rates at 5.63%
  • 30-Year VA rates saw an increase of 0.01%, with current rates at 5.65%

Jobless Claims
Initial Claims were reported to be 206,000 compared to the expected claims of 223,000. The prior week landed at 229,000.

What’s Ahead
Unemployment data is set to be released next week, along with a slew of additional reports. This has become an increasingly important topic in recent weeks.

Evaluating a Fixer Upper Beyond the Cosmetic

by

Fixer uppers attract buyers looking for value, personalization, and long term upside. The idea of transforming a property into something uniquely yours is compelling. However, not all renovation opportunities are created equal. The real skill in buying a fixer upper is distinguishing between manageable cosmetic upgrades and deeper structural or functional limitations that can quietly erode your budget and timeline.

Cosmetic Versus Structural Changes
Paint, flooring, light fixtures, cabinet hardware, and landscaping are typically manageable improvements. These updates are visible, measurable, and easier to estimate financially. Structural modifications such as moving load bearing walls, relocating plumbing lines, replacing subflooring, or altering rooflines introduce complexity and risk. Once walls are opened, surprises often follow. Understanding where a project falls on this spectrum protects both your budget and your expectations.

Layout Efficiency Matters More Than Finishes
Even a dated home can function beautifully if the layout flows logically. Room placement, natural light exposure, storage access, and traffic patterns influence daily comfort more than surface materials. Awkward transitions between rooms, narrow hallways, or poorly positioned kitchens may require significant redesign to correct. Before focusing on finishes, evaluate whether the core layout aligns with modern living patterns and your personal lifestyle.

Mechanical Systems Tell the Real Story
Cosmetic flaws are visible. Mechanical issues are not. Roof condition, heating systems, plumbing integrity, electrical capacity, and foundation stability carry significant financial weight. A newly painted wall cannot compensate for outdated wiring or aging pipes. Inspections are critical when evaluating a fixer upper. Replacing major systems can quickly shift a promising deal into an expensive commitment.

The Energy Investment Factor
Renovation requires more than money. It requires emotional bandwidth. Decision fatigue, contractor coordination, permit timelines, and material delays can test even patient buyers. Some homeowners thrive on projects and transformation. Others find the process draining. Be honest about your tolerance for disruption before committing to a property that demands ongoing oversight.

A smart fixer upper purchase focuses on fundamentals first and finishes second. When structure, layout, and systems are solid, cosmetic updates become opportunity rather than risk. The best renovation projects start with strong bones and realistic expectations.

Buying the Block, Not Just the House

by

Most buyers focus intensely on the house itself. Bedrooms, finishes, layout, and upgrades dominate attention. But long-term satisfaction often has less to do with the house and more to do with the immediate block around it.

Micro Location Matters More Than You Think
Two homes in the same general area can feel completely different depending on their exact location. A home near a neighborhood entrance may experience more traffic. A property backing to open space may feel quieter. Corner lots, cul de sac positions, and homes near shared amenities each create a different daily experience.

Observe the Rhythm of the Street
Visit multiple times of day. Morning routines, afternoon parking patterns, evening noise levels, and weekend activity can reveal the personality of the block. Are people outside? Are vehicles consistently parked along curbs? Do neighbors maintain exterior spaces? These subtle signals shape your lifestyle.

Future Development Signals
Look for vacant lots, aging structures, or visible renovation activity nearby. These clues may suggest future construction or revitalization. Understanding whether the block is stable, transitioning, or heavily improving can help you anticipate long term value shifts.

Community Chemistry
Block level culture matters. Some streets are quiet and private. Others are socially active and connected. Neither is right or wrong. The key is alignment with your personality and daily habits.

When you purchase a home, you are also choosing the environment directly outside your front door. Evaluate the block with as much care as you evaluate the kitchen. Satisfaction often lies just beyond the property line.

The Psychology of Curb Appeal and Buyer Perception

by

Curb appeal is often discussed in terms of landscaping, fresh paint, and updated fixtures. While those elements matter, the deeper principle at work is perception management. Exterior presentation shapes emotional response before a buyer ever crosses the threshold. By the time the front door opens, an opinion has already begun forming.

First Impressions Happen in Seconds
Behavioral research consistently shows that people form judgments quickly. In real estate, those first seconds matter. An overgrown lawn, peeling trim, cluttered porch, or cracked walkway can subconsciously signal deferred maintenance. Even if the interior has been renovated, early hesitation may linger. Buyers do not always separate emotional reaction from objective evaluation. The exterior sets the tone for everything that follows.

Visual Order Creates Psychological Comfort
Order communicates care. Clean lines, trimmed landscaping, neutral color palettes, and well maintained entryways suggest stewardship. Buyers often associate exterior organization with interior reliability. When a property looks maintained from the street, it reduces perceived risk. That reduction in uncertainty increases comfort, and comfort increases willingness to engage more deeply with the home.

Lighting as a Subtle Trust Signal
Exterior lighting plays a larger role than many sellers realize. Well positioned, functioning lighting near entry points communicates safety and attention to detail. It signals that the property is thoughtfully maintained. Dim, flickering, or non functioning fixtures can quietly introduce doubt. Buyers may not consciously articulate the concern, but perception shifts nonetheless.

The Framing Effect for Fixer Uppers
For properties that need interior updates, exterior presentation becomes even more important. If buyers see evidence of effort outside, they are more likely to imagine potential inside. A clean, orderly exterior reframes cosmetic interior work as manageable improvement rather than overwhelming renovation. Perception influences possibility.

Signaling Stewardship, Not Luxury
Curb appeal is not about extravagance. It is about signaling responsibility and care. Simple improvements such as pressure washing, repainting the front door, refreshing mulch, and decluttering visible areas can meaningfully shift buyer psychology. When buyers feel confident before stepping inside, resistance decreases and engagement increases.

The exterior is the first chapter of the homeís story. When that chapter communicates care, the rest of the show unfolds with greater trust and openness.

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – February 17th, 2026

by

In an unexpected turn, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed that inflation came in cooler than expected for the month of January, falling to a five-year low.

The jobs report showed that unemployment numbers came in worse than expected, perhaps signaling further hesitation from the Federal Reserve, despite inflation data coming in favorably.

This is also in light of retail sales data showing that, when accounting for post-holiday trends, retail activity has hit a significant slump. This suggests that Americans’ buying habits have changed substantially from the prior year, offering further insight that price pressures are still present at current levels. There is still considerable speculation that the Federal Reserve will move forward with an additional rate cut later this year.

Consumer Price Index
Consumer prices rose less than expected in January, and the rate of inflation fell to a five-year low by one measure, offering an encouraging sign to Federal Reserve officials as they weigh whether to cut interest rates again. The consumer-price index increased a modest 0.2% in January, a tick below the Wall Street forecast.

Retail Sales
Retail sales were flat in December, the government said Tuesday in a report delayed by the federal shutdown last fall. The numbers are seasonally adjusted. Fourth-quarter sales more broadly were also on the softer side compared with the prior two quarters. Americans spent more money than they usually do in the spring and summer to avoid price increases tied to higher U.S. tariffs. It appears they scaled back purchases in the second half of the year to compensate.

Primary Mortgage Market Survey Index

  • 15-Year FRM rates saw a decrease of -0.06%, with the current rate at 5.44%
  • 30-Year FRM rates saw a decrease of -0.02%, with the current rate at 6.09%

MND Rate Index

  • 30-Year FHA rates saw a decrease of -0.13%, with current rates at 5.62%
  • 30-Year VA rates saw a decrease of -0.13%, with current rates at 5.64%

Jobless Claims
Initial Claims were reported to be 227,000 compared to the expected claims of 225,000. The prior week landed at 232,000.

What’s Ahead
GDP Estimates and PCE Index Inflation Data is set to release next week as the largest data releases.

The Cost of Waiting for the “Perfect” Home

by

Many buyers delay decisions while waiting for a home that checks every box. While patience is valuable, perfection often creates paralysis. Understanding the difference between standards and unrealistic expectations helps buyers move forward with confidence.

Perfection Is Subjective
What feels perfect today may not feel perfect next year. Needs change, preferences shift, and priorities evolve. Holding out for flawlessness can delay progress indefinitely.

Opportunity Has a Window
Homes that align well with budget, location, and lifestyle do not appear endlessly. Buyers who hesitate too long often miss strong opportunities that were well-suited.

Compromise Is Strategic
Every purchase involves trade-offs. Smart buyers decide which features are essential and which are flexible. That clarity reduces stress and supports faster decisions.

Support Creates Confidence
A real estate agent helps buyers distinguish between deal-breakers and distractions. That guidance prevents second-guessing and builds momentum.

The goal is not perfection. The goal is alignment. When expectations are realistic, buyers move forward with clarity instead of hesitation.