WHAT CAN BUYERS DO
Rising interest rates are certainly not ideal, but it doesn’t mean that you can’t find your perfect home. There are many factors that need to be considered, including your personal financial situation and your willingness and ability to pay slightly more for that mortgage payment each month. The good news is that you will now be in a market with less competition and will likely have more power in negotiating with sellers.
Prior to applying for a mortgage, make sure your finances are in good order. Pay down debt, this directly impacts your Debt-to-Income ratio (DTI) that lenders look for.

• Improve your credit score – this has a big impact on the rate your lender will offer, higher credit scores typically mean you will get the best rates available. 
• Make sure you have a solid down payment, this will impact how much a lender is willing and able to offer and will impact the rate they offer as well. 
• Find a great realtor to help navigate this challenging and dynamic real estate market. A good agent will help you find property within your budget and will be able to assess trends in the market to ensure you negotiate a fair price.