Good morning from Danville. Here's your quick read on where mortgage rates and the Bay Area housing market sit as we open the week, and what it means whether you're buying, selling, or thinking about a refinance.
This Week's Rate Snapshot
Rates held in the mid-6% range this past week. Here's the latest from Freddie Mac's weekly survey.
| Loan Type | Average Rate (Freddie Mac, July 9) |
|---|---|
| 30-Year Fixed | 6.49% |
| 15-Year Fixed | 5.82% |
Rates as of July 13, 2026 — subject to qualification. Current rates posted at NestMortgage.ai/rates.
The 30-year edged up slightly from 6.43% the prior week, while the 15-year moved from 5.79% to 5.82%. These are national survey averages for well-qualified borrowers putting 20% down — your actual rate depends on credit, loan size, property type, and how the file is structured. As a broker, I shop multiple wholesale lenders to find the pricing that fits your scenario, rather than being tied to a single bank's rate sheet.
Current rates are published on NestMortgage.ai/rates and update regularly. Subject to qualification.
The Bay Area Market Right Now
Inventory remains the defining story. The Bay Area's unsold inventory index is hovering around 2.2 months of supply — well below the five to six months that signals a balanced market. San Francisco is even tighter at roughly 1.2 months, with San Mateo and Santa Clara close behind. Tight supply continues to support home values across much of the region.
Prices are holding firm and, in the strongest submarkets, climbing. San Francisco's median has pushed higher over the past year, while the region-wide median sits in the $1.25M–$1.4M range depending on the source and month. Here in the East Bay, Contra Costa County's median is closer to $875,000 — one reason value-minded and commute-conscious buyers keep gravitating toward our side of the hills.
The through-line for 2026: limited inventory, steady local job growth, and persistent buyer demand. Most forecasts point to prices stabilizing rather than spiking, with affordability improving gradually as wages catch up.
What This Means For You
For buyers: Tight inventory means the well-priced, move-in-ready homes still move fast, so having your financing buttoned up before you tour is what keeps you competitive. Getting fully underwritten up front — not just pre-qualified — puts you in a stronger position when you write an offer.
For sellers: Low supply is working in your favor, but buyers are rate-conscious and value-focused. Pricing sharply and considering tools like a rate buydown to widen your buyer pool can make the difference between one offer and several.
If you want to run your specific numbers — a purchase scenario, a refinance analysis, or whether a HELOC makes sense against your current equity — reply to this email or reach me directly and I'll walk you through the options.
Kaveh Sartipi | NMLS# 247776 | DRE# 01363588 | Answer Home Loans, Inc. is a Licensed Real Estate Broker, California Department of Real Estate DRE# 02058505 | NMLS# 1729528 | Equal Housing Lender. This is not a commitment to lend. All loans subject to credit approval, underwriting, and program guidelines. Rates and terms subject to change without notice.
Kaveh Sartipi
Mortgage Advisor · NMLS# 247776 · Top 1% Nationally
Kaveh Sartipi is the founder of Nest Mortgage and has been helping Bay Area buyers finance their homes since 2001. With access to 70+ wholesale lenders, he specializes in finding the right loan for each client's unique situation.