Los Angeles, CA – June 2026 – If there’s one thing Alex Shekhtman has learned after more than two decades in the mortgage business, it’s that people can adjust to almost anything, even a market that looks very different from the one they hoped for.
After years of buyers waiting for mortgage rates to fall, home prices to drop or some perfect moment to appear, Alex says he’s seeing a shift in the conversations happening every day at LBC Mortgage. People aren’t necessarily more excited about the market, they’re simply ready to move forward with their lives.
“I think buyers are tired of putting their plans on hold,” said Shekhtman, founder and CEO of LBC Mortgage. “For a while the conversation was always about waiting – for rates, for better prices, waiting for the next Fed meeting or waiting for some sign that everything was finally going to line up perfectly. What I’m hearing now is different. People are actually starting to ask what they can do today instead of what might happen six months from now.”
The shift comes as mortgage rates remain elevated compared to the historic lows of just a few years ago. While many economists continue forecasting gradual improvements, the reality is that buyers have spent enough time on the sidelines to realize that life doesn’t stop while they’re waiting.
“Nobody is thrilled about paying a higher rate than their friend got in 2021,” Alex said with a smile. “I get it. But people still get married, have children, relocate for work, start businesses, need more space or simply get tired of renting. Eventually life becomes more important than trying to perfectly time the market.”
According to Alex, that’s creating a healthier environment than the one buyers experienced during the pandemic housing boom.
“The truth is, I don’t miss those days,” he admitted. “People think they do because rates were lower but they forget what it was like to make an offer against twenty other buyers and still lose. Today’s market is calmer. You can actually think and compare properties. You can negotiate and can make a decision that makes sense instead of one that feels rushed.”
That doesn’t mean every market looks the same. One of the biggest misconceptions Alex continues to hear is the idea that there’s a single housing market moving in one direction.
“People always ask me if prices are going up or down and my answer is usually both,” he said. “Real estate is incredibly local. Some parts of Texas, Colorado, Florida and the Carolinas are seeing more inventory and giving buyers more options. Meanwhile, many areas of California are still struggling with limited supply. Every city has its own story, which is why it’s so important to look at your specific market rather than just national headlines.”
Alex also expects refinance conversations to continue growing throughout the summer as homeowners take another look at their current mortgage situation.
“For some people, refinancing is starting to make sense again,” he explained. “Not everybody but enough people that it’s worth having the conversation. Sometimes even a small improvement in rate or structure can have a meaningful impact on a family’s monthly budget.”
At the same time, LBC Mortgage continues investing heavily in education.
Earlier this year, Alex hosted another live webinar for real estate agents that drew more than 100 attendees from across the country. Rather than focusing on sales tactics or motivational speeches, the event centered on understanding today’s buyer and helping agents adapt to a changing market.
“The response was incredible because we talked about real problems,” Alex said. “Agents are working hard. The challenge is that buyers today are different than they were five years ago. They’re more cautious, they have more questions, they want to understand the financing side and they need more guidance before they feel comfortable moving forward.”
Following the success of the event, LBC Mortgage plans to continue expanding its educational initiatives for both agents and homebuyers.
“No matter what the market is doing, people will always have questions about buying a home,” Alex said. “That’s never going to change. If we can help people understand the process a little better and feel more confident about their options, then we’ve done our job.”
Looking ahead to the rest of the summer, Alex remains optimistic because buyers are beginning to adapt.
“I think we’re moving toward a healthier market,” he said. ” Buyers are becoming more informed. Sellers are becoming more realistic. People are making decisions based on their lives instead of headlines. That’s usually when good things start happening.”
His advice remains simple.
“Don’t try to predict every move the market is going to make,” Alex said. “Focus on understanding your own situation. Know your numbers. Know your options. Have a plan. Once you have those things, you’re in a much better position to make a smart decision, regardless of what rates do next month.”
And for those still wondering whether they should wait? Alex smiled.
“At some point,” he said, “you stop waiting for the perfect market and start building the life you want.”
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