That depends on your timeline and budget, not on a forecast. Here are the facts as of early October 2026: the 30-year fixed mortgage rate averaged 7.40% on October 8 in Freddie Mac's weekly survey, up from 6.30% a year earlier, while Tri-Cities buyers have more homes to choose from than they did in 2024.
Where are mortgage rates right now?
Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey for October 8, 2026 put the 30-year fixed average at 7.40%, up from 7.28% the week before and 6.30% a year earlier. The 15-year fixed averaged 6.73%, versus 5.53% a year earlier.
For scale: principal and interest on a $270,000, 30-year loan is about $1,869 a month at 7.40% and about $1,671 at 6.30%. Taxes and insurance come on top. Your own rate depends on credit, down payment, and loan type.
How many homes are for sale?
In August 2026, Realtor.com counted 407 active listings in Washington County and 554 in Sullivan County. Two years earlier, in August 2024, the counts were 299 and 369.
What are sellers asking?
The median listing price in August 2026 was $447,000 in Washington County, compared with $440,258 a year earlier, and $349,900 in Sullivan County, compared with $335,900. Listing prices are asking prices, not final sale prices.
How fast are homes selling?
The median listing spent 58 days on the market in Washington County and 57 days in Sullivan County in August 2026. That gives buyers more time to compare, inspect, and negotiate than a market where homes go under contract in days.
How should you weigh it?
The questions that matter are personal: how long you expect to stay, what monthly payment you are comfortable with at today's rate, and whether you have reserves after closing. Get at least three Loan Estimates and compare them side by side.
For a monthly read on local prices, inventory, and what moved, see The Chris Abla Real Estate Report.
Questions
What is the current 30-year mortgage rate?
Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey put the 30-year fixed average at 7.40% on October 8, 2026, up from 7.28% the prior week and 6.30% a year earlier. The 15-year fixed averaged 6.73%. The survey updates every Thursday, and your own rate depends on your credit and loan.
Are home prices falling in the Tri-Cities?
Asking prices were up year over year in August 2026. The median listing price was $447,000 in Washington County, compared with $440,258 a year earlier, and $349,900 in Sullivan County, compared with $335,900, according to Realtor.com data. Listing prices are asking prices, so final sale prices can differ.
Are there more homes for sale than last year?
Compared with 2024, yes. Washington County had 407 active listings in August 2026, up from 299 in August 2024, and Sullivan County had 554, up from 369. Compared with August 2025, Washington County was slightly lower at 435 and Sullivan County slightly higher at 540.
Want the local numbers every month? Get The Chris Abla Real Estate Report.
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