From Our Economists
January’s CPI Report Is Nail in the Coffin For March Interest-Rate Cut
The latest inflation report came in hotter than expected. For homebuyers and sellers, that means mortgage rates are likely to stay elevated for now–but we
January’s Hot Jobs Report Is Good and Bad For Homebuyers: Strong Labor Market Puts Money in Pockets, But Props Up Mortgage Rates
The latest jobs report came in stronger than expected. Together with the Fed press conference and news from the U.S. Treasury this past Wednesday, this
Today’s Fed Press Conference Was Disappointing–But Not Devastating–For the Housing Market
The Fed essentially took a March interest-rate cut off the table, which means mortgage rates are likely to stay higher for longer. But we still
December’s Inflation Report Unlikely to Impact Mortgage Rates
Consumer prices rose slightly more than expected to close 2023, but the news shouldn’t move mortgage rates much or impact the overall housing market. The
Latest Jobs Data Makes March Rate Cut Slightly Less Likely
A look below the surface reveals a less-hot picture of the late-2023 labor market than the hot December jobs headline suggests. The latest jobs report
Today’s Fed Meeting Brings Good Vibes For Homebuyers, Pushing Mortgage Rates Below 7% For First Time Since July
The Fed’s forecast that it will cut interest rates three times in 2024, up from a previous projection of two times, is already helping with
Nepo-Homebuyers: 40% of Under 30s Received Family Money for Down Payment
Originally published to Forbes on August 21, 2023. An eye-popping 38% of recent homebuyers under age 30 used either a cash gift from a family member
September Rate Hike Increasingly Unlikely After This Week’s Jobs Report
The August jobs report keeps the probability of the Fed hiking interest rates in September very low. That could be promising for homebuyers watching for
Here’s Why Mortgage Rates Are Still So High Despite All the Good News on Inflation
Despite the fact that promising inflation data has led to expectations that the Fed will cut interest rates soon, mortgage rates remain above 7%. That’s
How You Can Protect Your Home From Climate Change
Originally published to Forbes on July 24, 2023. Climate change is not a distant threat, but a present danger that is already wreaking havoc on our
September Fed Rate Hike is Hard to Imagine After Another Month of Good Inflation News
This morning’s report on consumer prices came in exactly in line with expectations: The consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.2% month over month in July
Why Are So Many Luxury Condos Built In Cities That Face An Affordable Housing Crisis?
Originally published to Forbes on May 30, 2023. Despite a lack of affordable housing, many American cities have seen a paradoxical proliferation of new luxury
