1. This Week's Trending Topic: Rates, Jobs & the Waiting Game

Mortgage rates remain in the mid-to-high 6% range, while the economic picture is becoming more complicated.

The latest labor report showed the U.S. economy lost 23,000 jobs in July, with unemployment at 4.1%. That has reduced some expectations for a September Fed rate hike, but inflation remains above the Fed's 2% target.

At the same time, housing activity remains sensitive to affordability. June existing-home sales fell 2.4% month over month, while inventory stood at 4.6 months of supply and the median sales price reached $440,600.

The takeaway?

This is not a market to sit on the sidelines waiting for one number to change.

2. Abdel's Angle

I tell our partners and clients the same thing: stop trying to predict the market and start preparing for it.

For Realtors, that means having conversations with buyers before they find the house, not after. Know their payment range, financing options, cash-to-close position, and what happens if rates move 0.25% in either direction.

For buyers, affordability is more than the interest rate. It is the combination of price, payment, cash, credit, taxes, insurance, and strategy.

And for business owners, the lesson is even bigger.

Markets change. Systems shouldn't.

The businesses that win aren't necessarily the ones with the best market conditions. They're the ones with consistent follow-up, clear processes, strong relationships, and technology—including AI, that helps them execute faster and better.

You don't need certainty to move forward. You need a plan.

3. Action Step of the Week

Use this simple 3-Question Market Check with your clients and referral partners:

  • Where are you today? — Current goals, financing, pipeline.
  • What could change? — Rates, inventory, income, timing.
  • What's our next move? — One specific action this week.

For buyers: review your financing scenario.

For Realtors: call five past clients or prospects and offer a quick market/financing check-in.

For business owners: identify one process you can automate or improve this week.

Small actions compound.

4. Call to Action

Want to collaborate this quarter? Message me.

The market will keep changing. The question is whether your strategy is keeping up.

Author: Abdel Khawatmi with PRMG Got Mortgages

Originally published in Abdel Khawatmi’s Monday Market Pulse newsletter on LinkedIn.