March 18th, 2026 8:43 PM by Eric Willner
Radio Show Notes 03/18/26 Wednesday: Read a summary of the show below orListen HereWatch Live Facebook Video Here
Wednesday – Midweek Market Report: How to Use Cash, Credit, or Compensation to Beat 2026 Volatility and Rate Update
By Eric Willner, Investor, Coach, and Host of The Real Estate Show, America’s longest running daily radio show about real estate.
Wednesday Midweek Mortgage & Market Report
Hosted by Eric Willner – The Voice of Real Estate
Opening
Welcome to The Real Estate Show – South Florida’s #1 Real Estate Radio Show and America’s longest running daily radio show about real estate.
My name is Eric Willner, known as The Voice of Real Estate, founder of America’s longest running daily radio show about real estate and creator of The Automatic Landlord System for Owning Cash Flowing Real Estate “Profitably and Hassle-Free.”
And if you’re new to the show, let me remind you of something important:
This is not just a radio show.
It’s a virtual real estate seminar in every episode.
Today is the Wednesday Midweek Mortgage & Market Report Edition of The Real Estate Show.
This is the show where we zoom out and look at the big picture — the mortgage markets, the economic signals, and the housing trends shaping the decisions smart investors are making right now.
And this week we’re continuing our theme from Monday:
Cash Down Payment, Credit, or Compensation: Pick Your Strength – We Handle the Rest to Get You In the Game.
Why? Because one of the biggest myths in real estate is that you need perfect finances to get started.
You don’t.
You only need one strength.
Maybe it’s your credit.
Maybe it’s your income.
Maybe it’s your down payment.
Maybe it’s your compensation history.
But when you combine one strength with the right strategy, real estate becomes accessible.
Everyone Is Already In Real Estate
Let me remind you of something powerful.
Everyone is in real estate.
There are only two categories.
You either OWN real estate…
Or you are ON real estate paying someone who does.
Think about that.
You searched for it.
You live on it.
You work on it.
You drive over it.
Real estate is the foundation of our economy.
The Bottom Line
If you own your home and pay it off, your retirement expenses drop dramatically.
Your housing cost disappears.
But if you rent forever, your retirement plan must generate enough income to pay rent forever — and rent rises every year.
That’s the difference between financial freedom and financial pressure.
Three Big “Did You Know?” Questions
Let me ask you three questions.
Did you know the average renter in the United States now spends more than $2,200 per month on housing, yet over 70% of renters believe they cannot qualify for a mortgage?
Did you know the average homeowner’s net worth is more than 40 times higher than the average renter’s net worth?
Did you know that many buyers qualify for mortgages with less than 5% down, but most Americans still believe they need 20%?
Those statistics highlight a huge disconnect between perception and reality.
And that’s exactly what today’s show is about.
Reminder - Today’s show is about:
And understanding how that works is the beginning of a real estate success plan.
Free Workshops This Week
Before we get into the heart of the market report, let me remind you of our free workshops this week.
Path To Home Ownership Introduction1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 8PMText PATH to 561-861-2366
And our Financial Edge Academy Overview
Every Wednesday at 8:30PM
Text EDGE to 561-861-2366
Do finances challenge you?
Most people say yes.
That’s why we created The Financial Edge.
Because education and knowledge move the needle.
We believe in a 3-pronged financial strategy:
1?? Everyone should buy a house2?? Everyone should have that house in financial order with a written plan3?? Everyone should own a business that provides tax benefits
That combination creates The Financial Edge.
Mortgage & Interest Rate Update
Let’s get into the Midweek Mortgage & Market Report.
According to Bankrate, as of March 18, 2026, the national average mortgage rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage is 6.33%.
That’s up 10 basis points this week.
Meanwhile the 30-year refinance rate sits at 6.60%, down two basis points.
In other words…
Rates are basically flat.
Mortgage rates ended February near their lowest levels since 2022, and while experts expected a gradual decline, the big catalyst hasn’t arrived yet.
Stephen Kates, financial analyst at Bankrate, explains:
“There is downward momentum in mortgage rates, but a catalyst for a significant step lower has not yet materialized.”
What does that mean?
Rates could drift down gradually — but we shouldn’t expect a sudden drop.
Federal Reserve Update
The Federal Reserve’s FOMC meeting is happening this week, with benchmark interest rates currently between 3.5% and 3.75%.
While the Fed does not directly control mortgage rates, it strongly influences them.
Most analysts believe the Fed will not cut rates at this meeting.
Geopolitics and Mortgage Rates
Another factor impacting rates right now is global tension.
Recent conflict in the Middle East pushed oil prices higher.
And higher oil prices raise inflation concerns.
Jeff DerGurahian of LoanDepot explains:
“Without the geopolitical tensions, we would likely be seeing mortgage rates in the high 5% range.”
That means the global economy — not just housing — affects mortgage rates.
Mid-Show Call to Action
If you want help navigating this environment…
And join our Financial Edge Academy.
Mortgage Opportunity Snapshot
Here’s the rate picture today:
National averages:
30-year fixed: 6.33%
15-year fixed: 5.66%
10-year fixed: 5.61%
Top offer currently available: 5.37%
And some programs we’re seeing are as low as 4.99%.
If you want to know where you stand financially…
Text LOAN to 561-861-2366.
Article 1 – Mortgage Refinance Demand Drops
Rising Mortgage Rates Slow Refinancing – But Buyers Are Still Entering the Market
Here are the key points in plain English.
Mortgage rates recently rose from 6.19% to 6.30%.
That’s the highest level since December 2025.
As a result, refinance demand dropped 19% week-to-week.
But here’s the interesting part.
Home purchase applications increased by 1%.
So while refinances slowed…
Buyers are still buying.
What This Means
The spring housing market is beginning with more inventory than last year.
Mortgage rates remain 42 basis points lower than last year.
And affordability has slightly improved.
The key takeaway?
Even with slightly higher rates…
The housing market is moving forward.
Why?
Because people need homes.
Why This Relates to Our Theme
Our theme this week is:
Pick Your Strength – Cash, Credit, Down Payment, or Compensation.
Markets move.
Rates fluctuate.
But people who act based on their strengths move forward.
Article 2 – Apartment Discounts Surge
Landlords Are Offering Deals – But Renters Are Still Paying Someone Else’s Mortgage
Apartment concessions are now the highest in over a decade.
About 16.6% of apartment buildings are offering concessions.
That means free rent, gift cards, or move-in incentives.
The average discount?
About five weeks of free rent.
Because apartment supply is high.
Vacancy rates have climbed to 7.4%.
Developers built a massive number of apartments over the past few years.
And now landlords are competing for renters.
That competition leads to discounts.
But here’s the key insight.
Even with concessions…
Renters still leave with nothing.
No equity.
No tax benefits.
No ownership.
The Ownership Advantage
When you buy real estate:
You gain equity growth
You receive tax advantages
You benefit from appreciation
And eventually…
You eliminate your housing payment entirely.
That’s the power of ownership.
Final Call to Action
If you want to build a plan that works in any market…
Text EDGE to 561-861-2366.
Conclusion
Thank you for listening today.
But remember something important.
Don’t just listen.
Use this show to start investing in real estate.
Tune in every weekday to The Real Estate Show – a seminar in every episode.
Tomorrow’s Show – ATM Edition Promo
Tomorrow is our Thursday ATM Edition – About The Money.
And tomorrow we’re diving deep into the financial side of real estate.
We’ll talk about:
How to structure deals.
How investors use leverage.
And how to turn real estate into long-term passive income.
If you want to understand how money really works in real estate, tomorrow’s show is a must-listen.
Share this show with someone who should own real estate.
Because the more people we help move from ON real estate to IN real estate, the stronger our communities become.
I’m Eric Willner.
The Voice of Real Estate.
And I’ll see you tomorrow.