Market Spotlight: The Fed Blinked—Now What Does It Mean for Triad Buyers & Sellers?

By Landon Stone | Beyond Home Advisors

Every time the Fed makes a move, the headlines explode… and the questions roll in:

“Does this mean rates are dropping?”
“Is now a better time to buy?”
“Should I wait until spring?”
“How does this affect home prices in the Triad?”

So let’s break down what actually happened — and more importantly — what it means for you if you’re thinking about buying, selling, or investing in the Piedmont Triad.

The Fed Cut Rates Again — but the Market Pushed Back

Last week, the Federal Reserve cut rates by another 25 basis points and ended its quantitative tightening program. That’s a big move, and it pushed short-term rates to their lowest level in three years.

Here’s the part most people miss:

Mortgage Rates Don’t Simply Follow the Fed

Mortgage rates follow the bond market, not just the Fed’s announcement.

The moment Jerome Powell warned that future cuts aren’t guaranteed, bond yields jumped — which kept mortgage rates steady instead of falling further.

Right now, mortgage rates are hovering around 6.25%, the lowest we’ve seen since early 2022.

And that’s creating a very real — and very rare — window of opportunity.

Why This Winter Is a Strategic Opening for Buyers

Winter in real estate is typically slower. Fewer buyers in the market means:

• Less competition
  
  
• More negotiating room
  
  
• Sellers who are motivated
  
  
• Homes sitting a bit longer (which can equal leverage for you)
  
  

Combine that seasonal slowdown with the best mortgage spreads in years — and you get the unique affordability we’re seeing right now in the Triad.

This Winter Could Be One of the Best Buying Seasons We’ve Had in Years

If you’re buying, you have two advantages happening at the same time:

1. Rates have eased compared to earlier this year
   
   
2. Competition has dropped with the holiday season
   
   

Most buyers who wait until spring are stepping back into the crowd. Historically, prices and competition both push up once demand returns.

Right now, you get to shop more strategically and write offers without feeling like you’re in a bidding-war circus every weekend.

A Quick Note for Sellers: Don’t Sleep on This Market

A lot of sellers assume winter is slow — but here’s the truth:

Improving Affordability Brings Back Serious Buyers

These are not the “just browsing” springtime crowds. These are buyers who:

• Have been waiting for better rates
  
  
• Are pre-approved and ready
  
  
• Are motivated to move
  
  
• Are watching daily for new inventory in the Triad
  
  

If you're selling in the Greensboro / Winston-Salem / High Point / Kernersville area, this is a great time to be priced correctly and positioned well.

You’ll stand out more now than you will when new listings flood the market in March and April.

Our Take: The Window Is Open — But Not Forever

If you’ve followed us for a while, you know we're big believers in:

• Wise financial decisions
  
  
• Building long-term wealth through real estate
  
  
• Using the market data — not emotions — to guide decisions
  
  

Right now, we have a moment where:

• Rates are more favorable than they’ve been in years
  
  
• Competition from other buyers is lower
  
  
• Prices are relatively steady
  
  
• Inventory is tight but workable
  
  
• Sellers are more negotiable than they were at the peak
  
  

That combination doesn’t usually last long.

I don’t expect this window to stay wide open into spring. Once the broader market realizes affordability has improved, we’ll see the buyer pool surge again — and with it, more multiple-offer situations and less negotiating power.

Thinking About Buying, Selling, or Investing? Let’s Talk Strategy.

A quick 10–15 minute conversation could show you options you didn’t realize you had — especially with today’s buying power compared to just a few months ago.

Whether you’re:

• Buying your first home
  
  
• Moving up or downsizing
  
  
• Investing in rentals or flips in the Triad
  
  

…Our team will walk you through exactly how to use this market to your advantage.

📲 Text 336-891-9667 to schedule a quick strategy call
📩 Or send an email to landon@beyondhomeadvisors.com — let’s make the right move, at the right time.