Market Perspective

Over the past week, a key economic report revealed that inflation was a bit lower than expected, but it caused little reaction. The Federal Reserve meeting shed some doubt on another anticipated rate cut at the next meeting in December, which was negative for mortgage markets. As a result, rates ended the week a bit higher, up from their lowest levels of the year.

Trust in housing professionals is slipping, and younger buyers are leading the shift. According to the 2025 NextGen Homebuyer Report, Gen Z and Millennial trust in banks, lenders, and real estate professionals is at an all-time low. As we head into 2026, rebuilding trust must be at the heart of our strategy.

Mortgage markets were quiet over the past week. The relatively small amount of economic data provided by private companies caused little reaction. As a result, mortgage rates ended the week down slightly, near their lowest levels of the year.

Given the government shutdown, the Federal Reserve being in an easing cycle, and rising trade tensions between the U.S. and China, investors shifted assets to the bond market over the past week. The latest economic data collected by private companies caused little reaction. As a result, mortgage rates ended the week down slightly, near their lowest levels of the year.

The government shutdown left investors without some major economic reports over the past week, leaving mortgage markets relatively quiet. The latest economic data collected by private companies caused little reaction. As a result, mortgage rates ended the week down slightly, near their lowest levels of the year.

New-home sales surged 21% in August, beating expectations. But even as buyer activity picks up, another challenge is quietly growing — one that could impact millions of homeowners across the country.

Mortgage markets experienced little change over the past week. The latest inflation data was in line with expectations, and other economic reports also revealed no market-moving surprises. The government shutdown may delay the release of future economic reports, but it otherwise has had little impact on financial markets so far. As a result, mortgage rates ended the week nearly unchanged.

With a lack of major economic news, mortgage markets were relatively quiet over the past week. Mortgage rates have moved slightly higher since the Federal Reserve meeting a week ago but remain near their lowest levels of the year.

As the year winds down and the holiday season ramps up, it’s the perfect time to reflect, recharge, and refocus. This month, I’m doing something a little different: sharing a curated collection of Spark’s most popular business tips. I hope these ideas help you close out the year strong and build momentum for the year ahead.

Over the past week, there were no major surprises from the Federal Reserve meeting or the inflation data. Consumer spending was a good deal stronger than expected, but its impact was minor. Mortgage rates remained near their lowest levels of the year.

Lower rates boost affordability, but regional trends diverge.

The closely watched employment data released on Friday fell far short of expectations, increasing concerns about the strength of the labor market. As a result, mortgage rates ended the week near the lowest levels of the year.

Over the past week, the major economic data was mixed, and its impact was relatively small. Inflation moved higher, while the labor market data weakened. Mortgage rates ended the week with little change, remaining near the lowest levels of the year.

Over the past week, investors were focused on a speech by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. While far from a sure thing, Powell suggested that cutting rates was a reasonable option given current economic conditions, which was viewed as a win by investors hoping for looser monetary policy. As a result, mortgage rates ended the week a little lower.

Over the past week, economic reports revealed that consumer spending remained solid and inflation was stronger than expected. As a result, mortgage rates ended the week a bit higher.