Driven by a surge in refinances, mortgage applications jumped over 29% this week. But with a soft jobs market and persistent inflation, all eyes are on the Fed’s rate cut this week. Mark and Jeff break down the 1/4 point rate cut and what it means for housing. On the ground, builders and agents are noticing shifts in buyer pools, and Jeff shares how he used AI to create a real estate brokerage presentation in record time. 

Mark and Jeff sit down with Keisha Wilkinson, Senior Policy Representative for Valuation at the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). They unpack how agents and appraisers often share more common ground than many realize, explore the power of NAR’s national and local lobbying efforts, and highlight the benefits available to all REALTOR® members. Plus, Keisha shares valuable resources to help strengthen communication and collaboration between agents and appraisers. Contact Keisha: [email protected]

Trump’s overhaul of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) raises big questions: how are labor numbers really collected and why do revisions matter so much? Mark and Jeff break it down. Then, the conversation turns to higher education. Are colleges leaning into artificial intelligence or pushing back against it? A recent MIT study shows that 95% of organizations are seeing no return on their AI investments yet. Is this just a temporary setback, or are we entering the AI “Trough of Disillusionment?"

Thoughts on Elon Musk’s mantra of “make it exist first, then make it good later?” Is that the blueprint behind SpaceX and even UAD 3.6? Mark and Jeff dig in. The conversation turns to Warren Buffett’s big bet on homebuilders. What does Berkshire Hathaway see in new construction that others might be missing? This episode also unpacks Andrej Karpathy’s reframing of AI as “Intelligence Amplified,” explores the rise of Third Party Ownership in solar, and asks why there are now more homebuyers over 70 than under 35. Finally, Jeff and Mark take a look at the nation’s top 10 most expensive zip codes and what those price tags reveal about today’s market.

Mark and Jeff break down key takeaways from the Valuation Expo and explore when appraisals may start looking different. They dive into the current state of artificial intelligence, which they describe as still a “word guesser” but undeniably powerful, and whether this is just the first generation of what’s to come. The conversation shifts to new real estate brokerages making waves, the potential evolution of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into a “Great American Mortgage Corporation,” and what rising stock prices mean for the market. Plus, they analyze restaurant sales contractions, discretionary spending slowdowns, and a hotter-than-expected PPI report that casts serious doubt on a Fed rate cut next month.

Mark and Jeff sit down with John Downs for a wide-ranging conversation that spans from the high-pressure world of college sports recruiting to the future of AI in the mortgage industry. John shares his approach to guiding young minds toward success, then dives into the hot topic of SEO and GEO. Should content today be built for humans or large language models? The crew takes bets on whether AI could replace John as a loan officer in the next six years, examines a record-setting gap between sellers and buyers in the housing market, and explores how John leverages his trusted appraiser panel as a true competitive edge.

Pete Fontana joins Mark and Jeff to dive into the growing divide between federal appraisal requirements and the added burdens imposed by individual states. With UAD 3.6 on the horizon and mobile adoption still low among appraisers, a further shakeout of the industry seems inevitable. Will these state-level overlays make it too difficult for new appraisers to enter the field? How are national groups, like the National Association of Realtors (NAR), stepping in to support harmonization? Meanwhile, Mark and Jeff are pushing through day three of a grueling fast (send snacks), and GDP came in red hot at 3%, beating expectations and stirring new questions about the economy’s next move. This is a can't-miss episode for anyone keeping an eye on the future of real estate, regulation, and appraiser resilience.

• Inflation creeps from 2.3% in April to 2.7% in June. What's driving it? Will it last?
• The U.S. government records its first monthly budget surplus in years. Is it a fluke or a turning point?
• For decades, healthcare has been the top employer in most states—but could new trade deals and tariffs bring manufacturing back to the top?

In Episode 50 (wow!) of Market Moves, Mark and Jeff welcome special guest Charles Baker to the show. Charles shares how he found his path into the world of real estate valuation, how life lessons from Tony Robbins have shaped his professional mindset, and how natural disasters — like the devastating California fires — can ripple through local real estate markets. It’s a story of personal growth, professional insight, and market impact you won't want to miss.

Jeff and Mark have a thought-provoking conversation with AI expert Roy Meyer. From real estate to business strategy — and even in our personal lives — artificial intelligence is reshaping the way we live and work. Unlocking its full potential requires more than just curiosity; it demands a whole new way of interacting. Roy dives into why engaging with AI is a fundamental shift from traditional tools like Google, and how mastering new approaches can lead to smarter decisions and greater efficiency in every area of life.