By the numbers, things are looking better for home buyers this fall.

Active listings are up. Mortgage rates are down. October mortgage rates may drop, too, thanks to a widely expected cut to the federal funds rate at this month’s Federal Reserve meeting. In fact, the economists at Realtor.com say Oct. 12-18 will be the best week to buy a house all year, pointing to friendlier trends in inventory, competition and seasonal price cuts.

Still, that doesn’t mean it’s easy out there. Despite recent growth, inventory is still 13% below pre-pandemic levels. As the market improves, what’s still standing in the way of today’s buyers? When hopes are high and your budget is tight, how do you know when to compromise?

I asked a couple of active house hunters to find out.

Jessica: “When am I bein

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