With next week bringing the latest wave of inflation data reports–namely the CPI and PPI–this week featured a slew of releases with minimal impact. The Trade Deficit and the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book stood out as the main indicators reflecting the current state of the economy. Although tariffs have largely been put on pause, their effects continue to reverberate across numerous industries.

Significant concern remains due to the instability in decision-making from the current administration. The Trade Deficit came in as expected, with the deficit cut in half following the announcement of tariffs, which caused imports to plunge. Meanwhile, the Beige Book indicated a significant slowing of the economy.

When buying a home, most people focus on the home price, interest rate, and monthly payment. But there’s another major factor that can significantly affect your mortgage: property taxes. These taxes can make your mortgage payment higher than expected and understanding how they work is key to managing your budget effectively.

Inflation has made a loud and lasting entrance into our daily lives. From groceries to gas prices, everything seems more expensive. One of the most significant areas where inflation leaves its mark is in the housing market, particularly mortgage rates and home affordability. As inflation continues to fluctuate, many potential homebuyers are left wondering how it all connects, and what it means for their financial future.