[Home]() > [Press Releases]() > LBC Mortgage: With Rates at 7.28%, Buyers Who Stay in the Market May Face Less Competition # LBC Mortgage: With Rates at 7.28%, Buyers Who Stay in the Market May Face Less Competition October 8, 2026 [by Sofiia Kovalchuk]() LOS ANGELES, Oct 5, 2026 – The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate climbed to 7.28% as of Oct 1, 2026, according to Freddie Mac, up from 7.03% a week earlier and the highest level in nearly three years. For many would-be buyers, a number like that is reason enough to stop looking. LBC Mortgage says that reaction is understandable, and that it may be exactly what gives the remaining buyers an easier time. > “People hear that rates are higher and automatically think they should wait,” said Alex Shekhtman, CEO and Founder of LBC Mortgage. “But when a lot of buyers step away from the market, you may have less competition. You may have more time to make a decision, more room to negotiate, and a better chance of getting the property you actually want.” When rates fall, buyers tend to come back all at once, which can mean multiple offers, bidding wars and very little negotiating power. A slower market can be a different experience for borrowers who qualify and are comfortable with the payment as it stands today. The loan a buyer takes now also doesn’t have to be the one they keep. > “If rates come down later, homeowners may have an opportunity to refinance into a lower rate,” Shekhtman said. “You can refinance a mortgage. You cannot go back and buy the house you lost because twenty other buyers entered the market when rates dropped.” Refinancing is not guaranteed. It depends on future rates, property value, borrower qualifications and the costs involved. LBC Mortgage’s point is that waiting for a better rate is a strategy with tradeoffs of its own. The more useful question is whether a specific home makes financial sense today, based on the monthly payment, available cash, loan structure and how long the buyer plans to stay. > “Trying to perfectly time the mortgage market is extremely difficult,” Shekhtman added. “Our job is to show borrowers what is possible today, what the payment looks like, and what options they may have in the future. Then they can make an informed decision instead of making one based on fear of a headline rate.” As an independent mortgage broker, LBC Mortgage works with Conventional, FHA, VA and Jumbo loans, along with Non-QM options such as Bank Statement and DSCR loans, HELOCs and programs for real estate investors. ## About LBC Mortgage LBC Mortgage is a client-first mortgage brokerage licensed in California, Florida, Illinois, Washington, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Colorado. Founded in 2008, the company specializes in helping homebuyers, investors, and self-employed borrowers navigate today’s market through education, transparency, and personalized mortgage solutions. **Media Contact:**Sofiia Kovalchuk Head of PR, LBC Mortgage [sofiia@lbcmortgage.com]() [(818) 217 0138]()[lbcmortgage.com]() Share ### Get in Touch Whether you’re buying a home or are ready to refinance, our experts are here to help. [** Call us now]() [** Book a consultation]()