Don’t Chase the “Perfect” Rate: Millwood Realty’s Beth Mancino on Winning the Next Wave

Salina housing market: rates may be easing, but the real story is what you do next

A headline making the rounds from Realtor.com News says mortgage rates have dipped to about 6.01% as inflation cools and jobs data stays strong. That number will move around (because everything does), but the bigger point is simple: when rates soften, buyers who’ve been waiting tend to jump back in.

To make sense of what that could mean locally, we talked with Beth Mancino, Broker/Owner of Millwood Realty Inc., as our Salina market expert.

Q&A: “If you’ve been gun-shy, this is your window.”

Q: Everyone’s asking the same thing: is this a good time to buy in Salina?

Beth Mancino: “If you’ve been hesitant because rates were high, the fact that rates are starting to trend down matters. Buyers don’t need perfection, they need a reasonable payment and a plan. When rates ease, even a little, it can open doors.”

Q: Your core argument is ‘owning beats renting.’ Why?

Beth: “Because rent is 100% expense. A mortgage payment can build equity over time. You’re paying into an asset you control. Renting is paying for housing, sure, but you’re also paying for someone else’s investment.”

Q: People hear ‘rates are dropping’ and think they should rush. Should they?

Beth: “The best first move is to get pre-approved with a local lender. This way you know what monthly payment/price range you feel comfortable with. You can then watch for the right home in the price range that works with your budget and feel confident when you make the purchase. ”

Q: What changes first when rates ease, even slightly?

Beth: “Buyer confidence comes back. The biggest shift is psychological, then practical. More showings, more offers, and sellers get firmer again. If you wait for the ‘perfect’ rate, you might be shopping in a more competitive market.”

Q: What’s your advice to someone who wants to buy but hates today’s rate?

Beth: “Buy the house you can afford and refinance later if rates keep improving. Also, there are tools like rate buydowns or negotiating seller concessions, depending on the home and situation. The key is structuring the deal correctly.”

Q: What’s the mistake you see buyers make in markets like this?

Beth: “They stare at the headline rate and ignore the bigger picture: budget, credit, cash-to-close, and what kind of home actually fits their life. You can’t control the market, but you can control preparation.”

Reach out to Beth and the Millwood team

Thinking about buying or selling in Salina? Beth Mancino and her team at Millwood Realty Inc. are ready to be a real asset to local buyers and sellers, with the kind of hands-on, local service you can actually trust.

Call: (785) 825-2177 Beth Mancino, Broker/OwnerMillwood Realty Inc.1101 S Ohio, Salina, KS 67401