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👁🗨 Sesemi STR Hot Sheet | 📲 STR Mortgages
Dear Sesemi STReet,
Happy Holidays and we are grateful for each of you! We are working - and delivering a special edition complete with an important mortgage rate update and eight non-coastal STR highlights!
Plus - if you have some extra time for real estate reading this extended weekend check out my most recent articles as a Bigger Pockets featured author!
👀 Looser Lending – What Fannie & Freddie's bold move means for investors.
🏠 A Tale of Two Markets – What the split in the housing market means for investors next year.
💥 Depreciation "Loophole" – How new real estate tax "loopholes" could drive major growth in 2026-2027.
📲 Skip the articles and shop directly at our exclusive STR HOT SHEET. Updated daily and featuring 100+ active and off market vacation rental properties for sale. Search 24/7/365 at www.sesemisheet.com
📉 MORTGAGE RATES DROP
Mortgage rates fell sharply Tuesday, bringing the average rate back near the 2025 lows from late October—levels investors have not seen since late 2022. The drop was steep, even more than the bond market alone would suggest. Most of the improvement stems from a few data points; namely another soft ADP employment report and market reaction to rumors that Kevin Hassett, viewed as rate-friendly, may become the next Fed Chair.
The ten year treasury touched below 4% as yields fell after New York Fed President John Williams signaled the Fed may cut rates at its final 2025 meeting next month. Fed funds futures traders increased their bets following Williams’ remarks for a December cut to a 70% likelihood.
In other major mortgage news: FHFA raised the 2026 conforming loan limit to $832,750—up $26,250 from 2025. High-cost areas now reach $1,249,125 (150% of the baseline). The increase reflects slower but still positive home-price appreciation.
Most lenders will begin accepting loan applications with the increased loan limits beginning immediately or in the coming week.
According to Zillow today’s rates equaled the lowest of 2025 with the average 30-year rate at 6.06%.
Our fearless forecast? Is for the FED’s independence to soften sharply in 2026 and for rates to gradually reach levels that will drive a stampede of investment through the end of the current administration.