Jobs week revealed more signs of a cooling labor market, strengthening the case for a Fed rate cut at its upcoming meeting on September 17.

So far, there has been nothing from “jobs week” to derail a Fed rate cut on September 17. In fact, the jobs data has generally come in weaker than expected. At the same time, a growing number of Fed members are voicing concerns about the upside risks to the unemployment rate.

After a massive drop in July 2025, the MBS Highway National Housing Index edged lower in August 2025, slipping by 2 points to a level of 24. Elevated mortgage rates continue to strain affordability and dampen demand, while softening price momentum is now evident across most regions, with only the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic showing modest resilience.

Real estate often gets a bad rap in the media – especially when interest rates are higher, affordability is stretched, or home prices aren't climbing as quickly. But despite the headlines, real estate has consistently proven to be one of the most powerful tools for building long-term wealth.

MBS Highway is excited to announce our new Strike Rate tool, which was designed to help our subscribers capture more refinance opportunities that are sitting right in their pipeline – immediately as they become available.