Higher borrowing costs are limiting buyers’ purchasing power and contributing to sluggish home sales. The average 15-year rate also rose to 6.04%.

During the Wealth Building Summit at the 2026 Florida Realtors Convention & Trade Expo, CPA Greg Antipoff outlined ways agents can use earnings and explore tax advantages as part of a long-term wealth plan.

Fed Gov. Christopher Waller said higher-than-expected August inflation could lead him to support a rate hike during the Federal Reserve meeting Sept. 15-16, potentially pushing mortgage rates higher. The August inflation data comes out Sept. 11.  

Most executives expect a flat second half as rising construction costs and cautious speculative building shape the new-home outlook.