What happened at the Fed Meeting Yesterday and what does it mean for me?

Yesterday’s Federal Reserve meeting largely confirmed what markets have been leaning toward for some time: the Fed is in a holding pattern, closely watching inflation and broader economic data. Chair Jerome Powell reiterated that policy decisions are made meeting-by-meeting and depend on incoming information. When asked about what he anticipates for the next meeting, Powell stopped short of stating that a rate cut is planned, but he also made it clear that an increase is not what is anticipated. Reading in between the lines- The message, in essence, was that rates are expected to remain steady for now, with the next meaningful move more likely to be a reduction once inflation continues to show sustained improvement. The Fed’s primary focus remains keeping inflation on a downward trajectory while maintaining overall economic stability.

So what does this mean for mortgage rates and the housing market? Mortgage rates tend to move on expectations, and a clear pause-oriented outlook combined with the possibility of future cuts generally supports gradual easing over time, even if it’s not perfectly linear. For buyers who have been waiting on the sidelines, this environment can offer improving affordability and less frantic competition. For sellers, shifting sentiment around rates typically brings more serious, qualified buyers back into the market, which helps support demand and pricing. At Salted Pines Real Estate, we see this as a market that rewards smart positioning and good strategy—where informed buyers and sellers can move forward with confidence rather than waiting for a “perfect” moment.