Oil Price Shock Hits Housing Market: What It Means for Rates & Buyers

Sudden global shifts are reshaping the housing market in unexpected ways. In this month’s update, Ruben Gonzalez and Gabi Brennesholtz break down how a sharp spike in oil and gas prices, driven by geopolitical conflict, is creating ripple effects across inflation, mortgage rates, and buyer behavior. They also unpack February’s surprisingly flat housing data, weakening job numbers, and what to expect from the Fed’s upcoming meeting. With uncertainty rising, this episode highlights why timing, strategy, and clear communication matter more than ever for today’s real estate professionals and their clients.In this episode, you’ll learn:How rising oil and gas prices are fueling inflation and putting upward pressure on mortgage ratesWhy global events can quickly impact local housing markets even in the U.S.What February’s flat home sales, steady inventory, and stagnant prices signal about market momentumHow weakening job growth and consumer confidence are influencing buyer activityWhy the Fed is likely to hold rates steady (for now) and how new risks could shift forecastsHow buyers and agents can navigate today’s uncertainty and take advantage of early-season opportunities—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:35 Oil price shock and global supply disruption explained01:27 How oil and gas prices ripple through inflation and daily costs02:38 Impact on mortgage rates and interest rate expectations05:48 Buyer strategy: why acting sooner may offer an advantage08:12 February housing data: flat sales, inventory, and pricing trends11:13 Fed meeting preview, job market trends, and economic uncertaintyThis podcast is for general informational purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions of the guest represent those of the guest and not Keller Williams Realty, LLC and its affiliates, and should not be construed as financial, economic, legal, tax, or other advice. This podcast is provided without any warranty, or guarantee of its accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or results from using the information.