Kisha Hayes

Tomorrow marks 250 years of this country, and homeownership has been part of the promise since the beginning. Whether that promise has kept pace with the people it was made to - is a question worth sitting with. What I know for sure: if you told yourself 2026 would be different for your housing situation, there's still time. But "later" just got a lot shorter. One thing before we dive in: there's a file with your name on it that isn't your credit report, and it might be costing you money...

🏡What's Happening in Real Estate The largest housing bill in nearly 20 years just passed Congress this week. It's called the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, and it combines close to 50 separate proposals aimed at one core problem: there aren't enough homes, and the ones that exist are getting harder to afford. A few things in this bill that directly affect buyers and homeowners: a new pilot program for FHA mortgages under $100,000 (aimed at making smaller, more affordable homes easier to...

🏡What's Happening in Real Estate This is the 100th edition of this newsletter, and after writing every week for nearly three years, I've noticed something: The biggest real estate mistakes aren't usually caused by the market. They're caused by assumptions. "I can't qualify.""I need 20% down.""Rates are too high." Meanwhile, recent housing reports show affordability has improved from a year ago and buyers have more options than they've had in several years. Yet many people are still making...

🏡What's Happening in Real Estate For the past two years, much of the housing conversation centered around one question: "When will rates come down?" Now the conversation is shifting. Markets are paying close attention to new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh and what direction he takes monetary policy. The growing discussion is whether interest rates could remain elevated longer if inflation continues to linger. What's interesting is that many buyers have already adjusted to today's rates. The bigger...

🏡What's Happening in Real Estate The market felt wide awake this week — and honestly, a little bipolar. Inflation moved higher again in April, mainly from rising fuel and food costs, while wholesale prices came in much hotter than expected. Normally, that kind of inflation data creates concern around borrowing costs and affordability. At the same time, existing home sales still managed to edge higher and inventory continued improving. That is what makes this market so interesting right now....

🏡What's Happening in Real Estate Today's headlines will likely center around Kevin Warsh officially stepping into the Federal Reserve Chair position. While the Fed Chair does not personally control mortgage rates, the position absolutely influences inflation policy, market confidence, and the overall direction of interest rate conversations. Warsh has publicly emphasized concerns around inflation and price stability. One thing that keeps standing out to me is the United States now carrying...

🏡What's Happening in Real Estate This week I spent time reviewing Louisiana economic projections, housing trends, and development activity across our region. One thing became very clear: large amounts of money are continuing to move into Louisiana through industrial expansion, manufacturing, AI infrastructure, and energy-related projects. Why does that matter to regular people? Because jobs create housing demand. Housing demand eventually affects rent prices, home values, traffic,...

🏡What's Happening in Real Estate Single Gen Z women are making up about 35% of buyers in their age group—almost double single men. They’re stepping into homeownership earlier and treating it as a financial move with long-term impact. Buying the home is one part. Putting basic protections in place matters too. A will, naming someone to handle finances if needed, or having a simple plan keeps things from getting complicated later. I’ve seen how fast things can shift when life changes and...

🏡What's Happening in Real Estate Adjustable-rate mortgages are showing up in conversations again—and this time, they’re being looked at a little differently. With fixed rates sitting higher than many buyers would prefer, ARMs are offering a lower starting payment for the first few years. That initial savings can create breathing room in a budget or help a buyer qualify for a home that felt just out of reach. The key difference today is how they’re being used. Buyers are paying closer...

🏡What's Happening in Real Estate Mortgage rates have moved back into the low-to-mid 6% range after briefly dipping below 6% in late February. The shift follows rising oil prices and inflation expectations, which influence bond yields and mortgage pricing. Even with the recent increase, rates remain below last year’s average of approximately 6.8% and well under the peak levels seen in 2023. At the same time, federal agencies have been directed to review housing regulations that may be limiting...