Can mortgage rates go even lower? 

Mortgage rates moved massively lower last week without any Federal Reserve rate cuts, primarily because the labor market is getting softer. Can mortgage rates go even lower? As we can see below, when the market priced economic weakness earlier in 2024, it took the 10-year yield down toward 3.80% but…

Continue reading →

Considering the jobs report, is the Fed risking a recession?

The Federal Reserve won’t pivot on rates until the labor market breaks and it will keep financial conditions as tight as possible until that happens — this has been my theme since 2022. Friday’s jobs report had one number which got people talking about a possible recession: the 4.3% unemployment…

Continue reading →

Macroeconomics, not business practice changes, will determine brokerages’ financial performance

For real estate professionals, the business practice changes outlined in the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) nationwide commission lawsuit settlement agreement —which are set to go into effect on Aug. 17 — are top of mind. But when it comes to the financial performance of their brokerages, industry analysts don’t believe the changes…

Continue reading →