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Mortgage Rate Update | July 3, 2025

Mortgage rates – Every Thursday Freddie Mac publishes interest rates based on a survey of mortgage lenders throughout the week. The Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that mortgage rates for the most popular loan products as of July 3, 2025, were as follows:

The 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.67%, down from 6.77% last week. The 15-year fixed was 5.8%, down from 5.89% last week.

The graph below shows the trajectory of mortgage rates over the past year.

Freddie Mac was chartered by Congress in 1970 to keep money flowing to mortgage lenders in support of homeownership and rental housing. Their mandate is to provide liquidity, stability, and affordability to the U.S.

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Your 4th of July Hosting Hacks | Home Tips

A star-spangled soirée can be sophisticated, seamless, and utterly Instagram-worthy—provided you plan with precision. These luxury-focused 4th of July hosting tips cover everything from curb-appealing fireworks to post-party cleanup, ensuring you deliver a patriotic bash that rivals any resort.

1. Set the Stage with High-Impact 4th of July Décor

Curate a Color Palette, Not a Party Store

Trade plastic buntings for a refined scheme of navy, cream, and brushed-gold accents. Think Belgian-linen napkins in indigo stripes, artisan-blown glassware rimmed in gold, and creamy pillar candles grouped at varying heights across the dining table. A single chinoiserie ginger jar stuffed with crimson peonies nods to 4th of July tradition without screaming theme park.

Illuminate Like a Pro

Swap twinkle-light tangles for smart, app-controlled LED uplights set to a warm 2700K. Position fixtures behind olive trees or modern planters to cast dramatic shadows once dusk settles. A row of hurricane lanterns along the pool edge doubles as pathway lighting and cinematic reflection.

2. Elevate Your 4th of July Food & Beverage Service

Hire a Private Grill Master

Outsource the smoke. A certified chef can man a Santa Maria-style wood grill, serving wagyu hot dogs, Maine lobster rolls, and harissa-rubbed cauliflower steaks. Guests receive restaurant-quality fare while you circulate with Champagne in hand.

Curate a Rosé & Bourbon Bar

Independence Day calls for both summer sophistication and heritage spirits. Offer a chilled flight of Provence rosé magnums with custom ice cubes branded with your monogram. Parallel that with a bourbon tasting corner—complete with smoked Old Fashioned presentations under cloches—for guests who prefer oak to blush.

3. Integrate Smart Tech & Comfort

Climate Control Outdoors

Install misting fans around lounge areas to cool down your 4th of July fete. Consider modern models emit that an ultra-fine spray that evaporates before it dampens designer attire. Add low-profile radiant heaters beneath pergolas to combat coastal evening chills—no bulky propane tanks in sight.

Zone Your 4th of July Audio

A multi-zone sound system lets you keep jazz crooning near the dining area while dance tracks energize the pool deck. Control everything from your smartwatch, lowering volumes during toasts or fireworks without hunting for a remote.

4. Fireworks & Safety—Luxury Edition

Curate a Private 4th of July Display

Professional pyrotechnicians can tailor a five-minute fireworks show sequenced to your playlist—legal, insured, and more refined than neighborhood bottle rockets. Secure permits early since it’s the 4th of July and inform neighbors with handwritten invites to watch from designated areas.

Protect Roofs and Landscaping

Have staff lay flame-resistant drop cloths over teak loungers and cover the koi pond with a mesh net to catch stray ash. A discreet garden hose, fitted with a copper nozzle, stands ready but tucked behind tall planters to maintain the aesthetic.

5. Post-Party Perfection

Overnight Turn-Down Service

Offer VIP guests luxe guest-room amenities: lavender pillow spray, mini bottles of electrolyte water, and custom SleepPhones loaded with a patriotic jazz playlist. Morning latte service on the veranda turns your event into a five-star staycation.

Next-Day Detailing

Schedule a mobile cleaning crew for 8 a.m. sharp. They’ll power-wash patio stone, polish stainless grill surfaces, and launder linens—leaving your estate spotless before you’ve even finished the morning headlines.

Final Spark

With these luxury-minded 4th of July hosting tips, your estate becomes the go-to destination for Independence Day, seamlessly blending patriotic charm with high-end polish. Set the scene, elevate the culinary program, layer in smart tech, and protect the beauty of your surroundings. Then raise a glass as the sky ignites: freedom never looked—or tasted—so refined.

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Economic Update | Week Ending June 28, 2025

Weekly Economic Update; WEU
Investors pushed stocks up and bond yields down this week. Markets rallied as soon as a ceasefire between Israel and Iran was announced. The Nasdaq and the S&P hit record highs on Friday after being down 12-20% in April. Oil prices had been rising in recent weeks due to the war in the Middle East and Iran’s threat to close the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most crucial chokepoints for oil shipping, where 20% of global petroleum is transported through prior to the ceasefire. This week oil prices dropped 12% from where they were last Friday. There was also more progress on tariff negotiations with China and other countries this week. With oil prices dropping, tariff-related inflation easing, and the economy no longer overheated, several Fed members began speaking optimistically about another interest rate reduction. The next big report will be the jobs report next Friday. If hiring slows, that will put pressure on the Fed to lower rates.

Stock Markets – The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week at 43,819.27, up 3.8% from 42,206.82 last week. Year-to-date, it is down 1.6% from 44,544.66 on December 31, 2024. The S&P 500 closed the week at 6,173.07, up 3.5% from 5,967.84 last week. Year-to-date the S&P is up 2.2% from 6,040.53 on December 31, 2024. The Nasdaq closed the week at 20,273.46, up 4.2% from 19,447.41 last week. Year-to-date it is up 3.3% from 19,627.44 on December 31, 2024.

U.S. Treasury bond yields – The 10-year treasury bond closed the week yielding 4.29%, down from 4.38% last week. The 30-year treasury bond yield ended the week at 4.85%, down from 4.89% last week. We watch bond yields because mortgage rates follow bond yields.

Mortgage rates – Every Thursday Freddie Mac publishes interest rates based on a survey of mortgage lenders throughout the week. The Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that mortgage rates for the most popular loan products as of June 26, 2025, were as follows:

The 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.77%, down from 6.81% last week. The 15-year fixed was 5.89%, down from 5.96% last week.

The graph below shows the trajectory of mortgage rates over the past year.

Freddie Mac was chartered by Congress in 1970 to keep money flowing to mortgage lenders in support of homeownership and rental housing. Their mandate is to provide liquidity, stability, and affordability to the U.S.

U.S. existing-home sales May 2025 – The National Association of Realtors reported that existing-home sales totaled 4.03 million units on a seasonal annualized rate in May, down 7% from an annualized rate of 4.06 million units last May. The median price paid for a home sold in the U.S. in May was $422,800, up 1.3% from $417,200 one year ago. There was a 4.6-month supply of homes for sale in May, up from a 3.8-month supply in May 2024. First-time buyers accounted for 30% of all sales. Investors and second-home purchases accounted for 17% of all sales. All cash purchases accounted for 27% of all sales. Foreclosures and short sales accounted for 2% of all sales.

Have a Great Weekend!
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Mortgage Rate Update | June 26, 2025

Mortgage rates – Every Thursday Freddie Mac publishes interest rates based on a survey of mortgage lenders throughout the week. The Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that mortgage rates for the most popular loan products as of June 26, 2025, were as follows:

The 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.77%, down from 6.81% last week. The 15-year fixed was 5.89%, down from 5.96% last week.

The graph below shows the trajectory of mortgage rates over the past year.

Freddie Mac was chartered by Congress in 1970 to keep money flowing to mortgage lenders in support of homeownership and rental housing. Their mandate is to provide liquidity, stability, and affordability to the U.S.

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Economic Update | Week Ending June 21, 2025

Weekly Economic Update; WEU
Economic news this week – After last week’s favorable inflation data showing that inflation levels were at 3-year lows, the Federal Reserve elected to hold its key interest rates at the current level for the fourth consecutive meeting. Investors and economists were disappointed with that decision as inflation has tamed, and the U.S. rates are well below the rates in other major countries, and the economy has slowed. Usually, these factors would lead to the Fed dropping rates to more neutral levels from the current restrictive levels that have been in place to slow inflation. Unfortunately, the Fed felt that the risk of tariff induced future inflation and the risk of rising oil prices due to the war in the Middle East warranted leaving rates unchanged at this time.

Stock markets -The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week at 42,206.82, down 1.3% from 42,762.87 last week. Year-to-date, it is down 5.3% from $ 44,544.66 as of December 31, 2024. The S&P 500 closed the week at 5,967.84, down 0.2% from 5,976.97 last week. Year-to-date the S&P is down 1.2% from 6,040.53 on December 31, 2024. The Nasdaq closed the week at 19,447.41, up 0.2% from 19,406.83 last week. Year-to-date it is down 0.9% from 19,627.44 on December 31, 2024.

U.S. Treasury bond yields – The 10-year treasury bond closed the week yielding 4.38%, down from 4.41% last week. The 30-year treasury bond yield ended the week at 4.89%, almost unchanged from 4.90% last week. We watch bond yields because mortgage rates follow bond yields.

Mortgage rates – Every Thursday Freddie Mac publishes interest rates based on a survey of mortgage lenders throughout the week. The Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that mortgage rates for the most popular loan products as of June 19, 2025, were as follows: The 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.81%, down slightly from 6.84% last week. The 15-year fixed was 5.96%, nearly unchanged from 5.97% last week.

The graph below shows the trajectory of mortgage rates over the past year.

Home sales data is released on the third week of the month for the previous month by the California Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors. The California Association of Realtors released their figures on Wednesday the National Association of Realtors will release May’s figures next week. These are California’s May home sales figures.

California existing-home sales – The California Association of Realtors reported that existing-home sales totaled 254,100 on an annualized basis in May, down 5.1% from 267,710 in April. Year-over-year sales were down 4% from a revised 264,840 annualized homes one year ago. The statewide median price paid for a home was $900,170 in May, down 1.1% from $910,160 in April. Year-over-year, the statewide median price was down 0.9% from $908,000 in May 2024. There was a 3.8-month supply of homes for sale in May, up from a 3.5-month supply of homes for sale in April, and up from a 2.6-month supply of homes for sale last May.

The graph below lists home sales data by county in Southern California.

Have a Great Weekend!
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Mortgage Rate Update | June 19, 2025

Mortgage rates – Every Thursday Freddie Mac publishes interest rates based on a survey of mortgage lenders throughout the week. The Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that mortgage rates for the most popular loan products as of June 19, 2025, were as follows:

The 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.81%, down slightly from 6.84% last week. The 15-year fixed was 5.96%, nearly unchanged from 5.97% last week.

The graph below shows the trajectory of mortgage rates over the past year.

Freddie Mac was chartered by Congress in 1970 to keep money flowing to mortgage lenders in support of homeownership and rental housing. Their mandate is to provide liquidity, stability, and affordability to the U.S.

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Economic Update | Week Ending June 14, 2025

Weekly Economic Update; WEU
Inflation remained cooler in May – The Consumer Price Index (CPI) inched up from an annual rate of 2.3%, its lowest reading since early 2021, to 2.4% in May. That year-over-year increase matched its lowest level this year and its lowest level in four years, with the exception of April’s reading. Core CPI, which excludes volatile costs like food and energy, was up 2.8% year-over-year, matching April’s 4-year low. Economists surveyed expected a 2.5% increase in Headline CPI and a 2.9% increase in Core CPI, so this report beat expectations. So far tariffs have not caused inflation to rise in April and May; however, economists still fear that tariffs will drive up future inflation.

The graph below shows CPI rates year over year.

Stock markets – Stock markets were up for the week on Thursday before Israel attacked Iran and Iran retaliated. Oil prices also spiked to their highest levels in 5 months. Major indexes dropped 1.1%-1.8% on Friday to finish the week lower. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped almost 800 points on Friday to close the week at 42,197.79, down 1.3% from 42,762.87 last week. Year-to-date, it is down 6.3% from 44,544.66 on December 31, 2024. The S&P 500 closed the week at 5,976.97, up 0.4% from 6,000.36 last week. Year-to-date the S&P is down 1.1% from 6,040.53 on December 31, 2024. The Nasdaq closed the week at 19,406.83, down 0.6% from 19,529.95 last week. Year-to-date it is down 1.1% from 19,627.44 on December 31, 2024.

U.S. Treasury bond yields – The 10-year treasury bond closed the week yielding 4.41%, down from 4.51% last week. The 30-year treasury bond yield ended the week at 4.90%, down from 4.97% last week. We watch bond yields because mortgage rates follow bond yields.

Mortgage rates – Every Thursday Freddie Mac publishes interest rates based on a survey of mortgage lenders throughout the week. The Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that mortgage rates for the most popular loan products as of June 5, 2025, were as follows: The 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.84%, nearly unchanged from 6.85% last week. The 15-year fixed was 5.97%, nearly unchangedfrom 5.99% last week. The graph below shows the trajectory of mortgage rates over the past year.

The graph below shows mortgage rates over the past year.

Have a Great Weekend!
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Mortgage Rate Update | June 12, 2025

Mortgage rates – Every Thursday Freddie Mac publishes interest rates based on a survey of mortgage lenders throughout the week. The Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that mortgage rates for the most popular loan products as of June 5, 2025, were as follows:

The 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.84%, nearly unchanged from 6.85% last week. The 15-year fixed was 5.97%, nearly unchanged from 5.99% last week.

The graph below shows the trajectory of mortgage rates over the past year.

Freddie Mac was chartered by Congress in 1970 to keep money flowing to mortgage lenders in support of homeownership and rental housing. Their mandate is to provide liquidity, stability, and affordability to the U.S.

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Economic Update | Week Ending June 7, 2025

Weekly Economic Update; WEU
Strong job report lifts stocks but pushes mortgage rates and bond yields higher – The Department of Labor and Statistics reported that 139,000 new jobs were added in May, exceeding economists’ expectations of 120,000 new jobs. The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.2%. Average hourly wages increased 3.9% year-over-year, up from a 3.8% year-over-year increase in April. On Wednesday, ADP, the world’s largest payroll company, estimated that only 37,000 new jobs were added in May. With the job market appearing to slow, stocks, bond yields, and mortgage rates dropped. For example, on Tuesday the 10-year treasury bond yield was 4.46% and dropped to 4.36% on Wednesday after the ADP report was announced. Unfortunately, everyone realized that ADP was way off again when Friday’s jobs report from The Department of Labor and Statistics showed 139,000 new jobs created in May, not the 37,000 ADP estimated. The 10-year jumped to 4.51% to close the week. Since mortgage rates follow bond yields those rose as well. Stocks also rallied as more people working at higher wages is good for the economy.

Stock markets finished higher again this week – Stock markets were in correction territory in April. Major indexes were down 12% – 17% on April 11 from December 31, but now they have rebounded to where they were at the start of the year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week at 42,762.87, up 1.2% from 42,270.07 last week. It is down 4% from 44,544.66 on December 31, 2024. The S&P 500 closed the week at 6,000.36, up 1.5% from 5,911.51 last week. The S&P is down 0.7% from 6,040.53 on December 31, 2024. The Nasdaq closed the week at 19,529.95, up 2.2%from 19,113.77 last week. It is down 0.5% from 19,627.44 on December 31, 2024.

U.S. Treasury bond yields – Bond yields jumped on Friday after investors learned that 139,000 new jobs were added in May and wages increased. The 10-year treasury bond closed the week yielding 4.51%, up from 4.41% last week. The 30-year treasury bond yield ended the week at 4.97%, up from 4.92% last week. We watch bond yields because mortgage rates follow bond yields.

Mortgage rates – Every Thursday Freddie Mac publishes interest rates based on a survey of mortgage lenders throughout the week. The Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that mortgage rates for the most popular loan products as of June 5, 2025, were as follows: The 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.85%, down from 6.89% last week. The 15-year fixed was 5.99%, down from 6.03% last week. The graph below shows the trajectory of mortgage rates over the past year.

The graph below shows the trajectory of mortgage rates over the past year.

Have a Great Weekend!
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Mortgage Rate Update | June 5, 2025

Mortgage rates – Every Thursday Freddie Mac publishes interest rates based on a survey of mortgage lenders throughout the week. The Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that mortgage rates for the most popular loan products as of June 5, 2025, were as follows:

The 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.85%, down from 6.89% last week. The 15-year fixed was 5.99%, down from 6.03% last week.

The graph below shows the trajectory of mortgage rates over the past year.

Freddie Mac was chartered by Congress in 1970 to keep money flowing to mortgage lenders in support of homeownership and rental housing. Their mandate is to provide liquidity, stability, and affordability to the U.S.

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