HouseTalk: March 1 — Interest Rates, Spring Market Timing, and Competing Offer Rules in Rochester

Rochester's spring market doesn't wait, and neither does this episode.

Jeff Scofield, Mike Reed, and John Marchioni are back at WHAM 1180 for the March 1 edition of House Talk Radio, covering the questions Rochester buyers and sellers are asking right now.

What we cover:

• Interest rates and the magic number: Jeff and Mike break down why 6.12% isn't moving the market, what rate actually would, and why the lag between Fed decisions and mortgage rates is longer than most people realize
• The starter pistol moment: Every year in early March, Rochester inventory releases all at once. Jeff has 5 to 6 listings holding for this exact window. What that means for buyers
• Low mortgage rate trap: Homes bought at $200K at 2.5% are worth $400K in many Rochester neighborhoods today. Jeff and John explain why that $200K equity gain, tax-free on a primary residence, changes the math entirely
• Competing offer rules most agents don't know: In New York, you cannot disclose another buyer's offer price without the seller's written permission. John Marchioni explains what that means, and why fabricating a competing offer to trigger an escalation clause is a felony
• Sellers at open houses: Why Jeff tells every client to not be there. One offhand comment can kill the deal

Call in: 222-1180 | Text: (585) 600-5333 House Talk airs Sundays noon to 1pm on News Radio WHAM 1180, Rochester NY.