Existing-home sales hit a five-month high in May

Existing-home sales rose 3.2% in May, the strongest month since December. The driver was simple: affordability got a little better as rates dipped and household incomes held steady. Inventory stayed flat, which kept prices stable without scaring buyers off. Translation for your sellers: homes are moving again, and buyers have money. Translation for your buyers: they've got options, but not so many that they can wait forever.

The bigger picture for your clients is this. Sales are up because people can actually afford to buy again, not because prices crashed or rates disappeared. That's a healthier market than the spike-and-collapse cycles we've seen before. Your buyers should know that waiting for some magic number rarely works out. The payment that fits their budget today is the one that matters. Your sellers should know that priced right, homes are selling, May proved it.

If a client needs to know what they qualify for, or what their listing will actually clear after payoff, send them my way. I'm at (949) 350-8005, and I answer.