RealTea with Jim Ross

Serving the intersection of investors & agents with a weekly no-fluff, data-packed playbook for smarter real estate moves both nationally and in Central Ohio.

Each week’s Market Update below is colored either Green or Red, depending on if the overall news was optimistic or pessimistic.

Questions? Our Resources section contains you to definitions and links to take a deeper dive into the topics discussed. Dive on in!

Latest

RealTea 10.19 | 30-Year Rate Drops to 7.37%, Inventory Up 18.2% YoY, Hike Odds Rise to 14%

Oct 19, 2026

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6 min read

RealTea 10.19 | 30-Year Rate Drops to 7.37%, Inventory Up 18.2% YoY, Hike Odds Rise to 14%

The biggest wholesale inflation print in years rattled bond markets but then reversed, giving Columbus buyers a slightly better rate picture heading into the weekend than it looked on Wednesday.

Jim Ross

RealTea 10.12 | 30-Year Rate Peaked at 7.61%, Inventory Hits 6,016, Showings Slide 4 Straight Weeks

Oct 12, 2026

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6 min read

RealTea 10.12 | 30-Year Rate Peaked at 7.61%, Inventory Hits 6,016, Showings Slide 4 Straight Weeks

More homes, fewer showings, higher rates: the split is getting harder to ignore.

Jim Ross

RealTea 10.05 | 30-Yr Jumps to 7.6%, 58% More Sellers than Buyers

Oct 5, 2026

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6 min read

RealTea 10.05 | 30-Yr Jumps to 7.6%, 58% More Sellers than Buyers

A weak jobs report knocked Fed hike odds down to 17%, but the 30-year still hit 7.60%, and Central Ohio buyers are feeling every basis point in their monthly payment.

Jim Ross

Articles

Oct 19, 2026

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6 min read

RealTea 10.19 | 30-Year Rate Drops to 7.37%, Inventory Up 18.2% YoY, Hike Odds Rise to 14%

The biggest wholesale inflation print in years rattled bond markets but then reversed, giving Columbus buyers a slightly better rate picture heading into the weekend than it looked on Wednesday.

Jim Ross

Oct 12, 2026

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6 min read

RealTea 10.12 | 30-Year Rate Peaked at 7.61%, Inventory Hits 6,016, Showings Slide 4 Straight Weeks

More homes, fewer showings, higher rates: the split is getting harder to ignore.

Jim Ross

Oct 5, 2026

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6 min read

RealTea 10.05 | 30-Yr Jumps to 7.6%, 58% More Sellers than Buyers

A weak jobs report knocked Fed hike odds down to 17%, but the 30-year still hit 7.60%, and Central Ohio buyers are feeling every basis point in their monthly payment.

Jim Ross

RealTea 09.28 | Mortgage Rates Hit 7.45%, Hike Odds Jump to 66%

Sep 28, 2026

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6 min read

RealTea 09.28 | Mortgage Rates Hit 7.45%, Hike Odds Jump to 66%

A surge in private-sector activity sent Treasury yields soaring and pushed the 30-year rate to 7.45%, making the math harder for every Central Ohio buyer shopping right now.

Jim Ross

RealTea 09.21 | 10-Year Treasury Crosses 5%, Mortgage Rates at 19-Month High, Inventory Rises to 5,910

Sep 21, 2026

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6 min read

RealTea 09.21 | 10-Year Treasury Crosses 5%, Mortgage Rates at 19-Month High, Inventory Rises to 5,910

Columbus closings are running below seasonal norms, inventory keeps climbing, and more than half of active listings carry a price cut, meaning buyers who can stomach today's rates have more leverage than they've had all year.

Jim Ross

RealTea 09.14 | Hike Odds Hit 77%, 30-Year Climbs to 6.76%, Inventory Up 14.6% YoY

Sep 14, 2026

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6 min read

RealTea 09.14 | Hike Odds Hit 77%, 30-Year Climbs to 6.76%, Inventory Up 14.6% YoY

Five straight weeks of declining showings per listing, combined with rising inventory, mean sellers in Central Ohio have less room to hold firm on price this fall.

Jim Ross