Mortgage Brokers of the South NMLS 2565664

06/12/2026

Happy Friday, this is Crystal with your weekly market update.

Inflation remained elevated in May, with consumer prices rising 0.5% for the month and 4.2% from a year ago. Much of that increase was driven by higher gas and energy costs. Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, rose at a more moderate pace, suggesting broader price pressures remain relatively contained.

Wholesale prices also moved higher. The Producer Price Index increased 1.1% in May and 6.5% from a year ago, with energy costs accounting for much of the jump.

For the Federal Reserve, the balancing act continues. The Fed's dual mandate is to keep inflation under control while supporting a healthy job market. With inflation still above target, markets will be closely watching next week's meeting led by new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh for signals about the future direction of interest rates.

In housing, there was encouraging news. Existing home sales rose 3.2% in May to an annual pace of 4.17 million homes, the strongest level since December. Inventory also improved, climbing to 1.55 million homes.

On the labor front, new unemployment claims increased for the third straight week to roughly 229,000. Continuing unemployment claims remained elevated at 1.795 million, indicating many job seekers are taking longer to find work.

As always, if you're thinking about buying, refinancing, or simply have questions about today's market, I'm here to help.

06/05/2026

Hi, this is Crystal Nay with your weekly market update.

This week brought encouraging news on the job market. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the economy added 172,000 jobs in May, roughly double what economists had expected. Other employment reports were similarly positive, with ADP and Revelio Labs both estimating job growth of around 120,000. Together, the data suggests the labor market remained resilient after several months of slower growth.

Job openings also came in well above expectations, rising to 7.6 million in April, though they remain below the highs reached in 2022. At the same time, new unemployment claims stayed relatively low, though the figure may not tell the full story of labor market stress. Some workers who lose jobs may be turning to freelance or gig work instead of applying for unemployment benefits. Meanwhile, continuing unemployment claims remained elevated, suggesting some job seekers are taking longer to find new opportunities. Challenger, Gray & Christmas also reported a modest increase in announced job cuts, with AI-related restructuring cited as the leading reason for layoffs for the third consecutive month.

In housing news, the market continues to show strength. Cotality now forecasts home prices will rise about 5.3% over the next year. That's a good reminder of the long-term wealth-building potential of homeownership. For example, a $500,000 home that appreciates by 5% would gain approximately $25,000 in value over the course of a year.

If you're thinking about buying a home, refinancing, or simply want to discuss your options, I'm here to help. Feel free to reach out anytime.

06/05/2026

Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio plays a major role in the mortgage process. DTI adds up obligations like credit cards, auto loans, student loans, and your projected housing payment, then divides that total by your gross monthly income. A lower ratio generally provides more flexibility, but acceptable limits can vary depending on the loan program and your overall financial profile. Knowing your DTI early can help you understand your budget, strengthen your buying power, and prepare for a smoother homebuying experience. Questions about your options? Let's connect.

05/30/2026

Hi, this is Crystal Nay with your weekly market update.

We got important inflation data: Headline Personal Consumption Expenditures rose 0.4% in April, slightly below expectations, while the annual inflation rate increased to 3.8%.

Core PCE, the Fed’s preferred measure that excludes food and energy, rose 0.2% for the month. However, the annual core inflation rate edged up to 3.3%, remaining well above the Fed’s 2% target.

The Fed continues to balance two major concerns: inflation that’s still running too high and some signs of labor market cooling. Ongoing tensions in the Middle East have also kept inflation concerns in focus, particularly because of the potential impact on energy prices. Markets will be closely watching upcoming Fed commentary and the June meeting for more direction on future interest rates.

In housing news, new home sales fell 6.2% in April after two straight monthly gains, as affordability challenges continue to impact buyers.

At the same time, new Case-Shiller data showed national home prices are still up 0.7% from a year ago, while the FHFA reported a stronger 1.7% annual gain for homes backed by conventional loans.

Looking ahead, economists surveyed by Fannie Mae and Pulsenomics are projecting approximately 14% cumulative home price growth over the next five years. On a $600,000 home, that could translate to roughly $84,000 in appreciation, underscoring the long-term wealth-building benefits of homeownership.

Meanwhile, the second estimate for Q1 GDP showed the economy grew at a 1.6% annualized pace, a slowdown from the initial 2% estimate, while continuing jobless claims moved higher, suggesting some workers are taking longer to find new jobs.

If you’re thinking about buying, refinancing, or simply have questions about the market, I’m always here to help.

05/25/2026

Today we honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Their bravery and selflessness will never be forgotten.

05/23/2026

Hi, this is Crystal Nay with your weekly market update.

This week’s housing data showed a mixed picture for the market. Housing starts fell nearly 3% from March to April, driven mostly by a slowdown in single-family construction. At the same time, building permits, which can signal future construction activity, rose 5.8%, led primarily by multi-family projects.

Builder confidence also improved slightly in May, though sentiment remains below the growth threshold. According to the National Association of Home Builders, higher mortgage rates, rising gas prices, and ongoing economic uncertainty are still weighing on buyer demand.

There was some encouraging news on the resale side of the market. Pending home sales rose 1.4% in April, beating expectations and marking the third straight monthly increase. Compared to a year ago, pending sales were up 3.2%, suggesting buyers are still active despite affordability challenges.

Meanwhile, the latest Federal Reserve meeting minutes revealed growing disagreement among policymakers. Some officials continue to favor rate cuts if disinflation resumes or the labor market weakens, while a majority of participants said additional rate hikes could still be necessary if inflation remains persistently above 2%.

On the labor side, new unemployment claims remain relatively low, though the figure may not tell the full story of labor market stress. Some workers who lose jobs may be turning to freelance or gig work instead of applying for unemployment benefits. Continuing claims also stayed elevated, suggesting some job seekers are taking longer to find work.

https://plus.preapp1003.com/Crystal-Nay

05/16/2026

Today we honor the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of those who serve our country. 🇺🇸 On Armed Forces Day, we recognize the strength and commitment of the men and women who protect our freedom every day. Thank you for your service.

05/14/2026

Buying your first home is exciting - but it can also be intimidating! These steps will help you feel more prepared, so you can enjoy this major milestone. If you have any questions about this process, reach out any time.

05/08/2026

Buying a home involves more than just your upfront investment. There are additional expenses that come with owning a home, both at closing and over time, so it’s important to plan ahead. When you know what to expect, you can budget with confidence and focus on finding a home that truly fits your financial picture. You’ll also be better prepared to handle both expected and unexpected costs without added stress. With the right planning, homeownership can become a powerful way to build long-term wealth and financial stability.

05/08/2026

Happy Friday, this is Crystal Nay with your weekly market update.

It was a busy week for jobs data. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that April job growth came in stronger than expected, with the economy gaining 115,000 jobs compared with forecasts of about 60,000.

Meanwhile, ADP said private employers added 109,000 jobs in April, also topping expectations. Revelio Labs reported around 66,000 job gains, still a modest pace of hiring, but the strongest increase since last June. Together, these reports suggest the job market may be stabilizing after several slower months.

Other data painted a more mixed picture. Job openings slipped to 6.87 million in March, continuing a longer-term decline from the peak levels seen in 2022. New unemployment claims remain relatively low at around 200,000, but continuing claims stayed elevated at 1.77 million, suggesting it’s taking longer for some workers to find new jobs. Layoff announcements also moved higher in April, with more than 83,000 cuts reported.

Even with some softening in the labor market, the housing market continues to show resilience. Sales of new homes came in stronger than expected in both February and March, and Cotality now expects home prices to rise about 5.1% over the next year.

That’s an important reminder that real estate🏡🏠 can build wealth over time. For example, a $500,000 home appreciating by 5% would gain roughly $25,000 in value in one year alone.

If you’re thinking about buying, refinancing, or simply have questions about the market, I’m here to help!

Mixed-Use: if you will occupy the property, will you set aside space within the property to operate your own business? (e.g., daycare facility, medical office, beauty/barber shop)