What should you do before mortgage rates drop, especially if you’re buying a home in Metro Detroit?Mortgage rates don’t drop with a countdown clock. They drift.And when they do, buyer competition returns fast.In this video, I explain exactly what home buyers should do before mortgage rates drop, so you’re prepared before leverage disappears — not reacting after the fact.If you’re asking:❓ Should I wait for mortgage rates to drop before buying?❓ How do I prepare to buy a home in Metro Detroit in 2026?❓ What matters more than interest rates when buying a house?This episode is for you.I break down:✅ Why waiting for mortgage rates to drop often hurts buyers✅ The difference between pre-approval and pre-qualification✅ How to stress-test your home buying budget before rates move✅ Why watching neighborhoods matters more than watching listings✅ How Metro Detroit buyers can position themselves ahead of the next market shift📞 Contact Leslie E. Martin, Realtor® | Metro Detroit Real Estate Expert📧 leslie@leslieemartin.com📱 Phone: (734) 846-8358🌐 Website: https://www.leslieemartin.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-martin-68a9a922a/💼 Google Business Page: https://share.google/UUzTvC67ItmnyRg4p🏡 Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/LeslieEMartin📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leslieemartindtw🎥 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@leslieemartin📖 Canvas Rebel: https://www.canvasrebel.com/meet-leslie-martin-2/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeslieEMartinRealtorThis video is part of my market strategy series and leads directly into the next episode: Who Wins in the Next Market Shift — and WhyIf this episode helped you think differently about timing and preparation, the next step isn’t rushing into anything — it’s getting clarity.Feel free to reach out if you want to talk through your numbers, your timeline, or whether it makes sense to start preparing now. No pressure. Just a conversation.I’m Leslie Martin, a Metro Detroit Realtor®, and I look forward to helping you make your next move.Chapters00:00 Why buyers miss mortgage rate drops00:30 Why waiting for rates costs buyers leverage00:50 Pre-approval vs pre-qualification explained01:30 How to stress-test your home buying budget01:55 Why payment comfort matters more than rates02:16 What matters more than interest rates02:27 Why buyers should watch neighborhoods, not listings02:57 How buyer leverage changes when rates drop03:20 When the best time to buy actually is03:40 Who wins in the next housing market shift04:01 How to prepare without rushing your decision#MortgageRates #MetroDetroitRealEstate #HomeBuyingTips