U.S. Housing Market Shifts as Affordability Improves

After months of pressure, American homebuyers are catching a breather. The median monthly mortgage payment has dipped to $2,365—a 4.7% decline from the same period last year. What's driving the relief? Mortgage rates have cooled to 6.15%, marking the lowest point in twelve months.

But here's where it gets interesting: while payment relief is real, actual sales activity remains sluggish. The numbers suggest borrowers are taking time to reassess before making moves. For investors tracking macro cycles and asset allocation patterns, this creates a telling snapshot of where consumer confidence stands and how credit conditions are loosening across major economies.