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GCA Forums News for Thursday September 4 2025
GCA Forums News for Thursday, September 4, 2025.
Breaking Housing and Mortgage News for Friday, September 4, 2025
Today’s update reveals a slight shift in the U.S. housing market, with new single-family home sales slipping 0.6% in July and unsold inventory climbing to 499,000 units, the highest reading in 16 years, says the latest U.S. Census Bureau report. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose this week to 6.69%, up from 6.56%, according to Freddie Mac.
High Rates and Rising Home Prices Put a Damper on the Housing Market
High rates and rising housing prices stretch homebuying budgets, leaving sales nearly flat and available listings climbing, especially in states like Texas and Florida. Analysts expect a modest rate drop later this quarter, with an anticipated year-end average near 6.4%. However, costlier tariffs and inflationary pressures may counteract this slide, keeping rates somewhat elevated.
Trump Going To Axe Fed Chair Jerome Powell?
Speculation has ramped around whether President Trump might remove Fed Chair Jerome Powell, with Polymarket bettors showing little confidence that Powell—or current Governor Lisa Cook—would leave before 2025. President Trump has slammed Powell for what he sees as tardy interest-rate cuts, arguing rates should have been lowered a year ago, reflecting growing friction over monetary policy. Analysts still insist Powell’s ouster could eventually lead to a 3-point rate drop. However, the Fed has not signaled any official move, stressing its operational independence.
Fraud at the Central Bank Renovation Project?
The central bank’s $2.5 billion renovation project continues to attract fire for cost overruns, with Trump accusing the Fed of “fundamental mismanagement.” Powell, in turn, urged the Fed’s inspector general to investigate and clear the air. Investors now broadly expect a 25-basis-point cut when the Federal Open Market Committee meets on September 5. However, upcoming job-market figures will be the deciding factor.
Live Economic Indicators
Stock Market Indices
- Dow Jones: 45,155.32 (down 0.31% as of 11:36 AM EDT; market open).
- S&P 500: 6,340.00 (down 0.08%).
- Nasdaq Composite: 21,242.70 (up 0.35%).
Precious Metals Prices (per ounce):
- Gold: $3,472.80 (up 1.15%).
- Silver: $41.09 (down 0.24%).
Interest and Mortgage Rates:
- Federal Funds Rate: 4.50%.
- 10-Year Treasury Yield: 4.2440% (up 0.57%).
- 30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.69%.
Inflation and GDP Overview:
- Current annual CPI Inflation: 2.7% (rise measured through July 2025).
- GDP Growth is now 3.3% (annualized for the second quarter of 2025).
Labor Market Snapshot:
- Unemployment hit 4.2% (estimate as of mid-July 2025).
Rising Bankruptcy and Layoffs
446+ large firms declared bankruptcy from January to July 2025, the steepest since 2010. Layoffs included 1,000 workers at Kroger and 900 at UPS, fueled by aggressive cost operations. Demand-Build Inventory: Demand slows due to steep mortgage rates, yet housing supply climbed to 499,000 units, a peak in 16 years.
Realty and Mortgage Industry in Decline
Elevated interest rates and feeble demand squeeze mortgage and housing firms. Nonbank originators Rocket Mortgage and PennyMac reported a $534 loss on each deal in the second quarter of 2025. Firms facing insolvency include Big Lots (September Chapter 11) and True Value (ceasing activity). Loan originator teams and servicing crews lose activity, and forecasts keep rates over 6% well into 2026.
Political Headlines: Mortgage Fraud Allegations
New York AG Letitia James says a federal mortgage fraud probe is ongoing, building on an FBI investigation that started in May. James insists the claims are part of a “politically motivated assault.” No one has been charged.
California Senator Adam Schiff is also reportedly under a mortgage fraud investigation. Trump charges that Schiff gained an unfair advantage by taking low payments on multiple property loans. Schiff insists the loans are valid, and the probe’s energy has not yet led to charges.
Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook Situation
Governor Lisa Cook has filed a lawsuit to stop former President Trump from firing her, insisting that the law protects her from dismissal under the current mortgage fraud claims. The Fed says Cook follows the central bank’s independence rule. The suit could end up at the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, Cook remains on the job.
Governor Gavin Newsom Fraud Claims
Rumors swirl that Governor Gavin Newsom has managed luxury properties on a public salary by inflating mortgage applications through unauthorized tax shelters and nonprofit donations. Key financial facts have been circulated, but no arrests have been made. Newsom is countersuing Fox News for what he calls reckless misinformation over the same story.
Tesla Stock and Elon Musk’s Future
Tesla shares sit at $329.33, off by 1.35%, after Q2 revenue edged up 0.95% to $97.69 billion, yet profits slid by 52.46%. Meanwhile, Musk unveils his new “America Party” as tensions boil with Trump, who warns of deporting Musk for comments about tariffs. On the product front, the Cybertruck is called to fix 46,000 vehicles for trim defects and 700,000 to correct panel safety, while fires and fatal accidents linked to the truck continue to make headlines.
DNI Tulsi Gabbard on Russian Collusion
Tulsi Gabbard blasts the 2016 election as riddled with what she terms “Obama treason,” alleging that the whistle-blower demanded fake intel to prop up a Russian collusion narrative. No indictments were announced, and former officials deny wrongdoing. Trump jumps on the bandwagon, insisting that prosecution is overdue for Obama, Clinton, Brennan, Clapper, Schiff, Pelosi, and others.
Ghislaine Maxwell Testimony on Epstein List
In a series of Justice Department interviews, Ghislaine Maxwell insists Jeffrey Epstein never kept a client list, a claim that investigators back with the finding that no complete registry was identified. These statements did not lead to new testimonies on alleged abusers, and Epstein victims continue to urge for the release of as much documentation as possible to the truth.
Trump and Musk Feud
The much-celebrated Trump-Musk bond now simmers into open warfare, propelled by unease over tariffs and what the former president dubs a “train wreck” behavior that warrants deportation. Musk pre-empts any gang by claiming he dumped the chair of Republican populism to roll out the “America Party ” instead. At the same time, federal regulators have executed a new layer of inquiry into Tesla’s disclosure gloves.
AG Pam Bondi, FBI Dir. Kash Patel, Dep. Dir. Dan Bongino on Epstein
A recent DOJ/FBI memo says there’s no Epstein “client list,” Bondi, Patel, and Bongino backed this. They’re saying the case is closed, so there’s no list to find. Former President Trump thinks this is just a distraction and advocates for helping Epstein survivors who are already gathering names to give to Congress.
DOJ Arrests on Biden-Era Politicians
There aren’t mass arrests of Biden-era politicians. Instead, Trump is telling the DOJ to fire the remaining U.S. attorneys he appointed. The investigation into the Biden family’s compliance with FARA continues, but there aren’t any formal charges.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlEu7aXSiwM&list=RDNSWlEu7aXSiwM&start_radio=1
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This discussion was modified 6 months ago by
Gustan Cho.
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