Kristen Schwab

If potential homebuyers are putting their dollars into the gas pump, they're going to have less dollars potentially to spend on buying a house.

If potential homebuyers are putting their dollars into the gas pump, they're going to have less dollars potentially to spend on buying a house.

High mortgage rates, well above 6%, will keep the housing market stalled this spring, says Jay Hatfield at Infrastructure Capital Advisors.

High mortgage rates, well above 6%, will keep the housing market stalled this spring, says Jay Hatfield at Infrastructure Capital Advisors.

And it could take more than that, says Richard Green at the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate.

And it could take more than that, says Richard Green at the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate.

Green points to economic uncertainty caused by tariffs and war and a weakening job market.

Green points to economic uncertainty caused by tariffs and war and a weakening job market.

When you're buying a house, you're not just asking yourself, can I make the first payment on it?

When you're buying a house, you're not just asking yourself, can I make the first payment on it?

Am I going to be able to make payments in five years, ten years?

Am I going to be able to make payments in five years, ten years?

And I think people are feeling pretty insecure right now.

And I think people are feeling pretty insecure right now.

He says confidence in the economy is key to a strong housing market.

He says confidence in the economy is key to a strong housing market.

I'm Mitchell Hartman for Marketplace.

I'm Mitchell Hartman for Marketplace.

Plus… I watch a lot of highlights and everything through the major sports apps.

Plus… I watch a lot of highlights and everything through the major sports apps.