Should you buy a home now or wait for mortgage rates to come down?

In this episode, Anton sits down with veteran mortgage expert Cody Touchette, who brings more than 26 years of lending experience to answer one of the biggest questions facing homebuyers today.

They dive into what's really driving mortgage rates, how inflation and oil prices affect housing affordability, why many buyers may be making a costly mistake by waiting, and what experienced investors are doing in today's market. The conversation also explores Federal Reserve policy, AI-driven job displacement, consumer spending trends, and the economic signals that could shape the housing market over the next few years.

Whether you're a first-time buyer, homeowner, investor, or simply trying to understand where the economy is headed, this episode provides practical insights from someone who has guided clients through multiple market cycles.

Topics include:

• Mortgage rate forecasts
 • Housing market trends
 • Inflation and Federal Reserve policy
 • Oil prices and economic uncertainty
 • AI and the future of employment
 • Buy now vs. wait strategies
 • DSCR loans and investor financing
 • ADUs, DADUs, and real estate wealth building
 • How successful buyers are navigating today's market

If you're considering buying, selling, investing, or refinancing, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

Episode Chapters

00:00 Meet Mortgage Expert Cody Touchette: 26 Years in Lending

00:39 Is the Housing Market Finally Recovering?

01:23 Why Mortgage Rates Feel Normal Again

03:39 Will Mortgage Rates Ever Return to 3%?

04:00 The Truth About Mortgage Rate Predictions

04:44 Did the Federal Reserve Pull Off a Soft Landing?

06:20 Why 2022–2023 Devastated Real Estate Professionals

07:18 How Global Conflicts Sent Mortgage Rates Higher

08:10 Oil Prices, Inflation & Mortgage Rates Explained

09:08 Should You Buy a House Now or Wait?

09:47 Why Lower Mortgage Rates Could Push Home Prices Higher

10:21 California's Housing Market Is Heating Up Again

11:47 Inflation, Recession, or Soft Landing? What's Next?

12:25 Consumer Spending Signals Most Experts Are Missing

14:09 Does the Federal Reserve Really Control Mortgage Rates?

16:03 The Real Driver of Mortgage Rates: Inflation

17:08 How to Track Mortgage Rates Like a Professional

18:29 New Federal Reserve Leadership and Mortgage Rates

19:44 Why Oil Prices Matter for Homebuyers and Investors

22:14 Is Stagflation the Next Threat to the Economy?

23:49 Will AI Replace Jobs and Reshape the Workforce?

27:14 New Careers and Opportunities Created by AI

29:30 Mortgage Strategies Smart Homebuyers Are Using Today

30:04 Buy Before You Sell: The Wealthy Homeowner Strategy

33:00 How Fast-Track Mortgage Approval Helps Buyers Win

35:08 Mortgage Programs Most Homebuyers Never Hear About

35:56 DSCR Loans Explained for Real Estate Investors

38:15 Asset Depletion and Bank Statement Loans Explained

40:00 Why Mortgage Brokers Often Beat Traditional Banks

44:02 ADUs and DADUs: The Hidden Real Estate Wealth Strategy

48:08 What Smart Real Estate Investors Are Buying Right Now

51:22 The Biggest Mistakes Homebuyers Are Making Today

52:20 How Seller Buydowns Can Save Buyers Thousands

55:26 Mortgage Rate Forecast for the Next 12 Months

57:00 What Happens to Home Prices When Rates Fall?

58:22 How to Invest $100,000 in Real Estate Today

01:00:00 Connect with Mortgage Expert Cody Touchette

About the Show

Welcome to the Anton Stetner Podcast, where we break down real estate, economics, investing, housing policy, and the trends shaping the future of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Whether you're a homebuyer, investor, business owner, or simply trying to mak