A conversation about comfortable payments and comparable estimates can help your buyer decide whether to adjust the search.

September 16, 2026 | For Real Estate Professionals | 4-minute read

Your buyer has homes saved and showings in mind. Then the Fed announcement lands, and a question follows:

“Does this mean we need to look at less expensive homes?”

It is an understandable concern, especially when the buyer already feels close to the edge of a comfortable payment. Before changing the search, arrange a review of what financing is actually available to that buyer—and what it would mean for their budget.

What the Fed Announced

On September 16, the Federal Reserve voted unanimously to raise its federal funds target range by one-quarter percentage point, to 3.75%–4%. Its statement also noted that inflation remains elevated. Read the Fed's announcement.

That increase does not translate automatically into an identical increase in a buyer's mortgage rate. The Atlanta Fed explains that mortgage rates are more closely connected to longer-term market rates and are influenced by expectations about inflation and the economy, among other factors.

Today's announcement gives you a reason to check in. A current lender estimate gives the buyer something specific to evaluate.

Start With the Payment That Still Feels Comfortable

Ask:

“What monthly payment would still feel comfortable?”

Give the buyer room to answer before offering a new price ceiling. They may still feel comfortable with the amount previously discussed. They may also want more breathing room now that a purchase feels closer.

Follow with two questions:

• “How much savings do you want to have left after closing?”
• “Would that housing expense still leave room for the other things you want your budget to cover?”

Be specific about the total. Principal and interest are only part of the expense. Taxes, homeowners insurance, any mortgage insurance, and applicable association dues belong in the discussion, with room in the household budget for maintenance and utilities. The CFPB's homebuying budget guide provides a helpful framework.

Ask the Lender for a Comparable Estimate

The useful request is: “Can we compare the scenario we were using with what's available today?”

Ask the lender to keep the purchase price, down payment, loan type, and term consistent for the first comparison. Have them identify any changes in:

• Interest rate, points, and lender credits.
• Estimated total monthly housing expense.
• Cash needed to close.
• Property-tax, insurance, or association-fee assumptions.
• Rate-lock status and the lock period being quoted.

The CFPB recommends comparing loans with the same features and checking lock status. A lower rate paired with additional upfront points involves a different tradeoff; points and lender credits affect both upfront costs and the rate.

If a buyer already has a rate lock, ask the lender how that agreement applies before assuming today's news changes their terms.

Use the Comparison to Decide What Happens Next

Once the lender explains the differences, bring the conversation back to the buyer's comfort level.

If the updated numbers still fit, confirm whether the buyer wants to continue with the current search.

If the payment exceeds their comfort level, ask the lender to work through a price range that fits, then revisit the listings together.

If an option requires more cash upfront, discuss what it would leave in savings before treating it as the answer.

For a buyer whose broader financial picture has changed, revisit the checks in Before the Next Showing: Refresh the Buyer's Numbers.

A Message You Can Send Today

“You may have seen today's Fed news. Before we change the homes we're looking at, let's ask the lender to compare our earlier estimate with today's options. What monthly payment would still feel comfortable, and how much savings would you want left after closing? We can use those answers to decide whether the search needs adjusting.”

Realtor takeaway: Confirm the comfortable payment, get a comparable lender estimate, and then decide with the buyer whether to adjust the price range.