Mortgage Rates Decrease, But Home Sales Remain Stagnant as Contract Signings Decline
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 19 2026
0mins
Source: Barron's
- Mortgage Rate Decline: January saw a decline in mortgage rates, which initially energized home buyers.
- Lack of Contract Signings: Despite the enthusiasm from lower rates, this did not translate into an increase in actual contract signings for home purchases.
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About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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