On The Highway

Existing home sales slipped slightly in June while home prices continued their seasonal climb, reinforcing the long-term wealth-building benefits of homeownership. Meanwhile, the Fed announced its new Task Force "A-Team," and the latest jobless claims offered another snapshot of labor market conditions.

June's economic data painted a mixed picture, with hiring coming in below expectations while the housing market continued to show resilience. The June jobs report fell short of forecasts, the ADP report pointed to only modest private-sector hiring, and other labor market indicators offered a mixed view of overall employment conditions. At the same time, home prices continued to build on recent gains, posting another month of solid appreciation.

Join Shelly Williams on the latest episode of the On The Highway Podcast as she breaks down May's inflation report, which reached its highest level in three years, while explaining how falling oil prices could help ease inflation pressures in the months ahead. She also covers the latest housing data as new home sales fell to their second-lowest level in nearly four years and reviews the latest GDP and unemployment numbers and what they could mean moving forward. Tune in for the full analysis.

In this episode of On the Highway, Bridgette Hardonk talks with top-producing loan officer Brandon Poulos about what it really takes to build a lasting mortgage career. Drawing from more than 20 years in the industry, Brandon shares lessons on adapting through market shifts, building strong referral relationships, creating structure through themed workdays, and why proactive communication remains one of the most overlooked keys to success. He also offers a practical look at how he uses AI as a thought partner while emphasizing that mortgage lending will always be a people-first business.

Markets received encouraging news as the United States and Iran agreed to extend their ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, reducing concerns about global energy supplies. At the same time, the Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged in Kevin Warsh's first meeting as Chair. Housing data painted a mixed picture, with homebuilders pulling back on new construction while pending home sales continued to increase. Other economic reports showed updates on consumer spending and weekly jobless claims, offering a broader look at the health of the economy.

When it comes to home prices, one of the most important forces is simple: supply and demand.

Elevated energy and gasoline costs pushed inflation higher in May, while existing home sales reached their fastest pace of the year. Three themes stand out from the latest data: rising energy costs driving broader inflation, home sales posting their strongest showing of 2026, and jobless claims drawing renewed attention.

The MBS Highway National Housing Index fell 9 points in June 2026, dropping from 47 in May to 38. Buyer activity declined sharply from the previous month, while price direction reversed its slow but steady climb.

Labor market data paints a resilient picture, while home price forecasts highlight the long-term opportunity in homeownership. May's jobs report surprised to the upside, ADP figures signaled broader hiring gains, and additional labor data supported that outlook. On the housing side, long-term home price forecasts put the value of homeownership on full display, giving buyers and clients a compelling reason to act despite affordability headwinds.

April brought a mixed economic picture: inflation ticked higher and remained above the Fed's target, new home sales came in below expectations, and GDP and unemployment data added further texture to an uncertain macro backdrop. Against that softness, long-term home price appreciation forecasts continue to reinforce the wealth-building potential of homeownership.