The Fed kept rates unchanged, annual inflation eased, and home prices continued to show strength.

Paying off credit cards may help your mortgage application, but it's not the whole story.

After reaching a seasonal high of 47 in May, the MBS Highway National Housing Index continued to cool in July 2026, falling from 38 in June to 32. Buyer activity and home price direction both posted notable month-over-month declines.

A competitive mortgage rate matters, but choosing the right financing strategy can have an even bigger impact on your long-term financial success.

With the US/Iran peace process underway, oil prices have fallen back to pre-war levels, but mortgage rates remain high (due to concerns about the Fed’s hawkish tilt). But inflation may have already peaked, and mortgage rates should follow inflation lower.

We’re rolling out a refreshed MBS Highway experience designed to help loan originators work faster, stay organized, and access the tools they use most – all with less effort and more efficiency.