Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA Slide 1 — Mortgage boost 1% cut adds 2.9% more households able to buy median homes. Slide 2 — Real numbers 19,835 additional households could qualify; ~1,984 potential extra sales follow. Slide 3 — Tech hub effect High-priced market makes even tiny rate drops meaningful for affordability. Slide 4 — Homeowner…

January 2026 monthly avg: bottom $519,750; starter $950,059; mid $1,594,962. San Jose high tier $2,674,172; luxury $5,630,424; median household income $177,074. Nationwide January 2026: bottom $125,384; starter $260,000; mid $375,000. Nationwide high $581,000; luxury $1,341,493; median household income $87,934. Affordability may improve in 2026 and beyond, after 2025 record highs and mortgage rates far above…

Making $1M in 2026 isn’t gambling; it’s controlling $3–4M assets and moving capital fast. Smart investors recycle money using BRRRR, turning $250k deals into $350k homes with $100k equity. Repeat forced appreciation four times, and $280k equity per property crosses $1M net worth. House hacking starts cheap: 3.5% down, tenants pay mortgages, savings snowball into…

San Jose investors dominate a higher percentage of transactions due to affordability constraints. Elevated home prices push many first-time buyers out of the market. Cash purchases allow investors to secure deals below list price. Accessory dwelling units add income potential, increasing property attractiveness. Rental demand continues to support investor activity despite high entry costs.

Falling rates expected to boost investor demand for cash-out refinances. Cash-out refi lets investors tap property equity for lump sum cash. Investors with loans in the 7s or 8s may refinance into rates in the 5s. Brokers can gain credibility and referrals by guiding clients through this strategy. Proactive broker outreach is key as 2026…

Timing the housing market is extremely difficult, so waiting may not improve buying conditions. Buyers should focus on homes that meet their needs and budget rather than market predictions. Home prices generally trend upward, making it harder to save for a down payment over time. Entering the market allows buyers to start building equity and…

The old 620 FICO minimum for conventional loans is basically gone. Fannie Mae removed its minimum credit score requirement in November 2025. Loans under $832,750 in 2026 typically qualify as conforming mortgages. New models like FICO 10T boost approvals up to 5%. Roughly 5 million potential buyers could benefit from expanded credit rules.

US housing affordability shows early improvement as mortgage costs ease and incomes rise modestly. As of early 2026, 20 of 50 largest metros may reach affordability thresholds, the most since 2022. Mortgage payments now consume a smaller share of household income, boosting buyer negotiation power. High-cost coastal cities remain above affordability; prices still outpace wage…

Winter 2025 survey: 34% plan no 2026 purchases, up from 32%; 12% plan to buy more, up from 8% Fix-and-flip investors more optimistic: 52% expect improvement vs. 26% of rental investors 45% of rental investors, 26% of flippers plan no purchases in next 12 months Top 2026 challenges: 58% cite financing costs, 37% rising prices,…