Mortgage Market News: Signs the Labor Market Is Losing Steam

The MBS Highway National Housing Index rose 4 points in March 2026, climbing from 43 in February to 47. A year ago, the index stood at 45. The spring seasonal upswing continues to build, with the buyer activity sub-index crossing into expansion territory for the first time since May 2024.

On this episode of On the Highway, Shelly Williams breaks down the latest economic signals impacting housing, including a weaker-than-expected February jobs report, mixed ADP data, and other indicators pointing to a cooling labor market. She also explains why home price forecasts remain strong nationwide and how these trends could create new opportunities for buyers.

In this episode of On the Highway, Shelly Williams covers the latest home price data highlighting the value of homeownership, as buyer activity continues to support home values. She also breaks down how wholesale inflation ran hot in January and why that matters for rates, and explains how gig work may be masking labor market strain, showing that unemployment filings don’t tell the full story.