Here's how the government shutdown affects homebuyers

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The government shutdown is expected to delay mortgage processes, affecting homebuyers' decisions.

Jim Wood suggests buyers may hesitate due to economic uncertainty and potential interest rate changes.

Clark Ivory sees current conditions as a buyer's market with aggressive seller incentives.

SALT LAKE CITY — The federal government shutdown is expected to slow the mortgage process for homebuyers and could stall sales.

"There are some impacts. A lot of it will be delays, but there will be some disappointments along the way," said Jim Wood, a research analyst at the University of Utah's Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute.

That includes, he said, home shoppers deciding to step back amid the ongoing standoff between Republicans and Democrats in Congress over funding the federal