mortgage rates
7 Surprising Ways Regional Mortgage Rates Hurt Homebuyers
7 Surprising Ways Regional Mortgage Rates Hurt Homebuyers In 2026, regional mortgage rate differentials can add roughly $1,200 a year to a first-time homebuyer’s payment, eroding affordability. These hidden surcharges vary by county, credit profile, and lender type, turning a modest 1% rate gap into a costly surprise.