When buyers evaluate a mortgage, they focus heavily on qualification numbers. Income, debts, credit scores, and approval amounts dominate the conversation. Pre-approval letters feel like the finish line. But there is another factor that often gets ignored, and it carries just as much weight over time. Emotional affordability.
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – February 17th, 2026
In an unexpected turn, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed that inflation came in cooler than expected for the month of January, falling to a five-year low.
The jobs report showed that unemployment numbers came in worse than expected, perhaps signaling further hesitation from the Federal Reserve, despite inflation data coming in favorably.
