News & Media
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 April 9, 2026, were as follows:
The 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.37%, down from 6.46% last week. The 15-year fixed was 5.74%, down slightly from 5.77% last week.
The graph below shows the trajectory of mortgage rates over the past year.
Wrap up the week with the latest tech news. From Meta’s Muse to the Moto Pad and more, we have you covered on the major headlines this week. Check in and stay connected with our round-up below!
A tiny magnetic display from Insta360 turns your phone’s best rear cameras into a front-facing selfie rig, letting you preview shots without flipping the device. The Snap connects over USB-C and relies on the host phone for power, so it stays lightweight and never needs its own battery. Touch controls let you operate camera apps and switch lenses, while an optional ring light aids low-light portrait shots. If you often want better rear-camera selfies, this accessory is a clever way to get pro-grade framing without replacing your phone.
Meta’s new Muse Spark model focuses on efficient multimodal generation and aims to speed up creative and assistant tasks across the company’s products. The rollout highlights improvements in reasoning and image-to-text capabilities while Meta positions Muse Spark as a foundational model for both research and consumer features. Early access is being staged so partners and developers can test integrations before wider availability. Overall, the launch signals Meta’s push to compete on model quality and tooling for real-world use cases.
Tractive expanded its lineup with the Dog 6 XL and Cat Mini, trackers that combine location tracking with more detailed health and activity insights for pets. The new devices offer longer battery life and refined sensors so owners can monitor sleep, activity, and potential health anomalies. Tractive’s app surfaces trends and alerts, which help caretakers spot slow changes before they become problems. For busy pet parents, this is a helpful upgrade that pairs GPS safety with wellness data in one platform.
Motorola is bringing the Moto Pad to the US as a modestly priced Android tablet with stylus support. The Moto Pad shifts focus to media consumption and light productivity. Additionally, the slate pairs a large display with a bundled G Stylus option on some Moto Pad models. Of course, these features aim to bridge casual tablet use and creativity on a budget. Motorola emphasized polish in software and pricing for the Moto Pad that undercuts many premium competitors while still offering key tablet features. If you want a simple tablet for reading, sketching, and streaming, the Moto Pad looks like a practical choice.
Pebblebee’s new Halo Safe Haven doubles as a location tracker and a personal safety alarm with a loud siren and strobe to draw attention in emergencies. The device integrates with location services so contacts can be notified and responders can get a live position if the user triggers an alert. Pebblebee pitches the Halo at runners, hikers, and caregivers who want low-effort situational protection without a monthly fee. For users who value both tracking and active deterrence, the Halo combines features that previously required multiple gadgets.
Reddit is deprecating r/all as traditionally known, shifting how platform-wide discovery will work, and giving communities more control over visibility and content flow. The change reflects ongoing efforts to reduce overexposure of controversial or low-quality posts while bolstering localized and interest-based discovery paths. Moderators and power users should expect adjustments in traffic patterns and new curation tools from the company. For creators and advertisers, it means rethinking how to reach broad Reddit audiences as the platform prioritizes community relevance.
Flipboard launched Surf to let users build social sites that mix Bluesky, Mastodon, RSS, and other federated sources into curated pages. The feature is aimed at readers and independent publishers who want a unified, magazine-style view of decentralized content without hopping across apps. Surf emphasizes editorial control, letting curators highlight posts, add commentary, and shape a narrative from many federated feeds. For anyone exploring the Fediverse, Flipboard Surf offers a friendly on-ramp that blends discovery with familiar magazine layout.
The real estate market has remained very active. We are continuing to see sales at a solid pace-certainly much stronger than what we experienced in the second half of 2025. The year started off with good momentum and has stayed active despite rising interest rates. Mortgage rates are currently around 6⅜% for a 30-year fixed, which is down from where they were at the end of last week, when rates pushed well above 6.5% and even approached 6¾%. The Freddie Mac survey rates tend to lag a bit, but they reflect the same general trend.
Looking ahead, we’re set to receive key inflation data, including CPI and PCE. Inflation had been trending in the right direction, with CPI falling to 2.4% from a peak of 9.1% in 2022, which had investors optimistic and helped push mortgage rates below 6% earlier this year-the lowest levels since 2022. However, the recent conflict involving Iran has caused oil prices to spike from roughly $70 per barrel to around $110, leading to a noticeable increase in gas prices-about $1 per gallon nationwide. This introduces renewed inflationary pressure and is something the market will be watching closely.
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 April 2, 2026, were as follows: The 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.46%, up from 6.38% last week. The 15-year fixed was 5.77%, up slightly from 5.75% last week.
The graph below shows the trajectory of mortgage rates over the past year.
U.S. Jobs Report – Hiring picked up in March – The Bureau of Labor and Statistics reported that 178,000 new jobs were created in March, far surpassing analyst’s expectation of 59,000 jobs. That was welcome news following a net loss of 133,000 in February. The unemployment rate ticked down to 4.3%, from 4.4% in February. Average hourly wages increased 0.2% month-over-month from February, and up 3.5% from one year ago. That marked the lowest year-over-year increase since 2021. Strong hiring is inflationary, but softer wages are deflationary, so the Fed will likely view this as neutral.
Stock markets – The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week at 45,504.67, up 0.7% from 45,166.64 last week. It is down 5.3% year-to-date from 48,063.29 on December 31, 2025. The S&P 500 closed the week at 6,582.69, up 3.4% from 6,368.85 last week. The S&P is down 3.8% year-to-date from 6,845.50 on December 31, 2025. The Nasdaq closed the week at 21,879.18, up 4.4% from 20,948.85 last week. It is down 5.9% year-to-date from 23,241.99 on December 31, 2025.
U.S. Treasury Bonds – The 10-year treasury bond closed the week yielding 4.35%, down from 4.44% last week. The 30-year treasury bond yield ended the week at 4.91%, down from 4.98% 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 April 2, 2026, were as follows:
The 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.46%, up from 6.38% last week. The 15-year fixed was 5.77%, up slightly from 5.75% last week.
The graph below shows the trajectory of mortgage rates over the past year.
| What a month we’ve had. Mortgage rates moved from their lowest levels since 2022 to the highest point in about a year, driven largely by escalating tensions in Iran. Oil prices surged from around $70 per barrel to nearly $120, ending the month near $110. This has put pressure across the entire economy, as higher oil prices translate directly into increased costs for gasoline, diesel, and transportation of goods-raising the risk of renewed inflation. At its latest meeting, the Federal Reserve chose to leave interest rates unchanged, citing concerns that rising energy prices, fertilizer costs, and supply disruptions-particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, where roughly 20% of the world’s oil flows-could push inflation higher. While February’s Consumer Price Index came in at a relatively low 2.4%, that data preceded the recent conflict. Meanwhile, the stock market reacted negatively to the uncertainty, declining roughly 3%-5% for the month.
Mortgage rates – Every Thursday, Freddie Mac publishes interest rates based on a survey of mortgage lenders throughout the week. T he Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that mortgage rates for the most popular loan products as of March 26, 2026, were as follows: The 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.38%, up from 5.98% last month. The 15-year fixed was 5.75%, up from 5.44% last month. The graph below shows the trajectory of mortgage rates over the past year. Stock markets – The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the month at 46,286.01, down 5.5% from 48,977.92 on February 28, 2026. The Dow is down 3.7% year-to-date from 48,063.29 on December 31, 2025. The S&P 500 closed the week at 6,527,27, down 5.1% from 6,879.98 on February 28, 2026. The S&P is down 4.7% year-to-date from 6,845.50 on December 31, 2025. The Nasdaq closed the week at 21,592.47, down 4.6% from 22,688.21 at the end of February. The Nasdaq is down 7.1% year-to-date from 23,241.99 on December 31, 2025. U.S. Treasury Bond Yields – The 10-year U.S. Treasury bond yield closed the month at 4.22%, up from 3.97% On January 31, 2026. The 30-year US treasury bond yield ended the month at 4.85%, up from 4.64% on January 31, 2026. We watch bond yields because mortgage rates often follow treasury bond yields. Home sales figures are released on the third week of the month for the previous month by the National Association of Realtors and the California Association of Realtors. Here is a summary of the February existing home sales reports. U.S. existing-home sales – February 2026 – The National Association of Realtors reported that existing-home sales totaled 4.09 million units on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate in February, up 1.7% from the number of homes sold in January. Year-over-year home sales were down 1.4% from the number of homes sold last February. The median price paid for a home in the U.S. in February was $398,000, up 0.3% year-over-year from $396,800 last February. California existing-home sales – The California Association of Realtors reported that existing-home sales totaled 274,820 on an adjusted annualized basis in February, up 7% from 256,550 annualized sales in January and down 0.3% from 275,600 last February. The statewide median price paid for a home in February was $830,370, up 0.9% from $823.180 in January. That marked the first month-over-month increase since last May and a relief from January when the median price reached a 23-month low. Year-over-year, February’s median price was down 1.9% from $839,130 one year ago. There were fewer listings in February. The unsold inventory index dropped to a 4.0-month supply of homes for sale in February, down from 4.4-months in January. Below is the housing data for Southern California by County.
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Baseball is back, and few places capture the magic of the season quite like Dodger Stadium. Perched above Chavez Ravine with sweeping sunset views, it remains one of the most iconic ballparks in the country. While Dodger Dogs are a classic, the surrounding neighborhoods of Echo Park and Chinatown offer some of the best pre- and post-game dining in the city.
Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite before first pitch or lingering after a win, these restaurants near Dodger Stadium deliver flavor, energy, and a true taste of Los Angeles.
Location: 1412 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90026, US
For restaurants near Dodger Stadium, start game day at The Semi-Tropic, where cocktails and small plates set the tone for an easygoing afternoon. The menu leans snackable yet satisfying, with options like spiced popcorn, marinated olives, baked feta, and flat iron steak that pair perfectly with a pre-game drink. On weekends, brunch offerings like shakshuka and paninis make it an ideal early stop before heading up to the stadium.
Location: 1608 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90026
Little Fish has built a loyal following thanks to its standout fried fish sandwich, layered with beer-battered bass, pickles, and creamy sauce on a soft bun. The menu also offers plenty of variety, including nori-seasoned potatoes and a flavorful grilled steak sandwich with chile-lime cream. Whether you stop in for lunch or a quick bite before the game, it’s a consistently satisfying option.
Location: 1540 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026, USA
Lowboy is the kind of casual neighborhood spot that feels made for game day gatherings. The menu features approachable favorites like California burritos alongside playful shareables like the loaded “Gator Fries,” topped with cheese, pickles, and sauce. With a strong happy hour and relaxed vibe, it’s a great place to meet up with friends before heading to the stadium.
Location: 1267 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, California 90026, United States
The Park’s Finest offers a unique blend of Filipino flavors and American barbecue traditions. Signature dishes include smoked tri-tip coated in coconut adobo sauce, tender ribs, and flavorful chicken manok. With hearty portions and comforting sides like mac and cheese and cornbread bibingka, it’s an ideal stop when you’re looking for something filling before or after the game.
Location: 1360 Allison Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90026, USA
When it comes to restaurants near Dodger Stadium, Ototo brings a lively, modern approach to Japanese bar dining just a short walk from the stadium. The menu features a rotating selection of dishes like okonomiyaki, sashimi, and creative sandwiches, all designed to pair with its award-winning sake program. With its energetic atmosphere and thoughtful food, it’s a standout choice for a more elevated pre-game experience.
Location: 1013 Alpine St, CA, 90012
Eastside Italian Deli has been serving the neighborhood since 1929, making it one of the area’s most enduring food institutions. The menu is packed with classic sandwiches, from spicy Italian cold cuts to hot sausage and peppers layered with melted cheese. It’s also a perfect place to grab something to-go and bring it directly into the stadium for a no-fuss meal.
Location: 702 N Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA
Mexicali Taco & Co. delivers bold, smoky flavors through its expertly grilled meats. Tacos, quesadillas, and vampiros are all standout choices, with the carne asada and shrimp options being especially popular. The salsa bar adds an extra layer of customization, while the signature “Zuperman,” loaded with multiple meats, is perfect for a hearty pre-game bite.
Location: 727 North Broadway, CA 90012
Lasita combines Filipino-inspired dishes with a vibrant natural wine program in a bright, welcoming space. The menu highlights include juicy rotisserie chicken, pork belly lechon, and flavorful small plates like adobo-marinated olives. It’s an excellent choice for a more relaxed sit-down meal before heading to the stadium or unwinding after the game.
Location: 1001 North Alameda, Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA
Philippe the Original is a Los Angeles institution and a must-visit for Dodgers fans. Known for its French dip sandwiches, the spot is especially lively on game days when crowds gather before heading to the stadium. The double-dipped beef sandwich paired with the house mustard delivers a classic, no-frills meal that has stood the test of time.
Location: 1814 West Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90026
As far as restaurants near Dodger Stadium go, Fluffy McCloud’s is the perfect post-game destination when you’re craving something sweet. The shop specializes in creative ice cream treats, including banana splits, root beer floats, and sandwiches made with conchas. Open late into the evening, it’s an easy and fun stop while waiting for traffic to clear after the game.
From iconic delis to modern neighborhood favorites, the area surrounding Dodger Stadium offers plenty of standout dining options. Whether you’re planning your entire game day around food or just grabbing a quick bite, these restaurants near Dodger Stadium help make the experience even more memorable.
| 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 March 26, 2026, were as follows: The 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.38%, up from 6.22% last week. The 15-year fixed was 5.75%, up from 5.54% last week.
The graph below shows the trajectory of mortgage rates over the past year.
Stock markets – The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week at 45,166.64, down 1% from 45,577.47 last week. It is down 6% year-to-date from 48,063.29 on December 31, 2025. The S&P 500 closed the week at 6,368.85, down 2.2% from 6,506.99 last week. The S&P is down 7% year-to-date from 6,845.50 on December 31, 2025. The Nasdaq closed the week at 20,948.85, down 3.2% from 21,647.61 last week. It is down 9.9% year-to-date from 23,241.99 on December 31, 2025. U.S. Treasury Bonds – The 10-year Treasury bond closed the week yielding 4.44%, up from 4.39% last week. The 30-year treasury bond yield ended the week at 4.98%, up from 4.96% last week. We watch bond yields because mortgage rates follow bond yields. U.S. existing-home sales – February 2026 – The National Association of Realtors reported that existing-home sales totaled 4.09 million units on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate in February, up 1.7% from the number of homes sold in January. Year-over-year home sales were down 1.4% from the number of homes sold last February. The median price paid for a home in the U.S. in February was $398,000, up 0.3% year-over-year from $396,800 last February. Have a Great Weekend! |
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 March 26, 2026, were as follows:
The 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.38%, up from 6.22% last week. The 15-year fixed was 5.75%, up from 5.54% last week.
The graph below shows the trajectory of mortgage rates over the past year.
This week interest rates rose further and stocks dropped as investors grew more cautious of the lasting financial repercussions of the conflict in Iran. As the war drags on investors feel that it may last longer than originally believed and oil prices which were about $70 a barrel just a few weeks ago have now spiked to about $120 a barrel. Some experts said it could reach $200 a barrel. The impact of this could reignite inflation which has finally reached acceptable levels. The Fed had a meeting this week and left interest rates unchanged. They are in a tough spot. Clearly with 70% of the economy fueled by consumer spending higher gas and energy prices will cut into spending for other nonessentials. At the same time hiring has stalled. The Fed has a duel mandate. To keep inflation at their 2% target level and to maintain maximum employment. Usually when the unemployment rate rises consumers stop spending and inflation drops but when other factors come into play like the current spike in energy prices inflation can rise while unemployment rises. They called it stagflation in the late 1970’s. This puts the Fed in a tough spot.
On the bright side, the real estate market has picked up drastically from the fourth quarter of 2025. We have seen home prices begin to rise after falling in the second half of 2025. For example the median price of a home in California went from an all-time high of $910,200 in April 2025 to a 23-month low of $823,120 in January 2026. It rose month-over-month in February to $830,370, its first monthly rise since its April peak. Inventory levels are lower and we are seeing brisk activity. Even the condominium market, which has slowed more than the single family market is quite active. This drop in prices combined with lower interest rates had affordability at a 3-year high which makes the uptick in activity make sense along with this being the prime selling season. Fortunately, interest rates going from about 5.875%, the lowest since 2022, to 6.5%, the highest in a year, over the last three weeks has not lowered demand so far.
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 March 19, 2026, were as follows: The 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.22%, up from 6.11% last week. The 15-year fixed was 5.54%, up from 5.5% last week.
The graph below shows the trajectory of mortgage rates over the past year.
Stock markets – The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week at 45,577.47, down 2.1% from 46,558.47 last week. It is down 5.2% year-to-date from 48,063.29 on December 31, 2025. The S&P 500 closed the week at 6,506.48, down 1.9% from 6,632.19 last week. The S&P is down 5% year-to-date from 6,845.50 on December 31, 2025. The Nasdaq closed the week at 21,647.61, down 2.1% from 22,105.36 last week. It is down 6.9% year-to-date from 23,241.99 on December 31, 2025.
U.S. Treasury Bonds – The 10-year treasury bond closed the week yielding 4.39%, up from 4.28% last week. The 30-year treasury bond yield ended the week at 4.96%, up from 4.90% last week. We watch bond yields because mortgage rates follow bond yields.
California existing-home sales – The California Association of Realtors reported that existing-home sales totaled 274,820 on an adjusted annualized basis in February, up 7% from 256,550 annualized sales in January and down 0.3% from 275,600 last February. The statewide median price paid for a home in was in $830,370 in February, up 0.9% from $823.180 in January. That marked the first month-over-month increase since last May and a welcome relief from January when the median price reached a 23-month low. Year-over-year February’s median price was down 1.9% from $839,130 one year ago. There were fewer listings in February. The unsold inventory index dropped to a 4.0-month supply of homes for sale in February, down from 4.4-months in January.
The graph below shows CAR sales data by county for Southern California.
Have a Great Weekend!
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 March 19, 2026, were as follows:
The 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.22%, up from 6.11% last week. The 15-year fixed was 5.54%, up from 5.5% last week.
The graph below shows the trajectory of mortgage rates over the past year.
