Daniel Mackey, NMLS #91536

WEEK IN REVIW 08/29/2025
Hello, this is Daniel Mackey with your weekly market update.

The key economic news this week was the release of Core PCE, the Fed’s preferred inflation measure. It showed prices rose 0.3% from June to July and 2.9% year-over-year, right in line with expectations.

Why does that matter? The Fed’s main job is to manage inflation while supporting the labor market. If inflation stays high, they’re less likely to cut interest rates. But if the economy shows signs of slowing, a rate cut becomes more likely.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell recently said they’re getting closer to cutting rates, depending on incoming data. Since this latest inflation report didn’t bring any surprises, it keeps a potential rate cut on the table for the Fed’s next meeting on September 17. Now, the focus shifts to the August jobs report coming out September 5.

Quick refresher: When the Fed adjusts interest rates, they’re changing the Fed Funds Rate, a short-term rate for bank-to-bank lending. This rate influences interest rates throughout the economy, but it doesn’t directly determine mortgage rates or other long-term rates.

Turning to housing news, signed contracts for both new and existing homes dipped slightly from June to July. But keep in mind, that was before mortgage rates started trending lower. If rates continue to decline, we could see an uptick in buyer activity soon. Also, home prices are still up compared to a year ago, although the pace of appreciation has cooled a bit. If demand picks up again, we could see price growth start to accelerate.

Thinking about buying, refinancing, or just have questions? I’m happy to help – reach out any time!

Dear Friends and Colleagues,
I want to share something personal with you, because I value the connections we’ve built and the kindness you have showed me. I have been diagnosed with Bulbar ALS. It’s the most aggressive form of ALS that affects the muscles we use for speaking, swallowing, and breathing. There is no known cure for this disease and it always fatal. There are only 2 approved drugs, but neither of them do anything other than possibly slow the progression if it can be slowed at all. My first symptoms started just before Christmas last year, and I was diagnosed by a neurologist in Baton Rouge, Dr. Brian Murphy, on January 31 and referred me to Houston Methodist Hospital, Dr. Stanley Appel. The average life expectancy when diagnosed with Bulbar ALS at age 70 is 1 to 2 years from first onset of symptoms. Doing the math, my mother was a math teacher and I had her for 3 years, and I am a numbers guy – that gives me approximately 6-18 months. The good news in all of this – ALS does not affect the brain – so I can still think like a 70 year old – I said think, not remember. It does affect the brain stem – that ‘s where the talking, swallowing, breathing originates as well as control of our emotions. So I laugh and cry very easily, even when I shouldn’t.
Currently, I sound a bit less like myself, my speech is heavily slurred, and as i get tired it gets worse. My ALS doctor, Dr. Stanley Appel, a world renowned ALS Specialist at Houston Methodist Hospital, has given me a “Get Out of Jail” card, that I should show the Police if they stop me, it states that my slurring of speech, and loss of balance sometimes when walking is due to ALS – not drinking alcohol – HAHA. Eating and drinking will become trickier for me as well. The medical world has mechanical devices that will enable me to live longer, but I have chosen through and advance directive not to have a feeding tube, or breathing machine hooked to me – that’s not living, can’t talk, can’t eat, can’t breathe – those machines only delay the inevitable.
I am focused on living fully, staying positive, and sharing as much joy and humor as I can. I am at peace with all of this, I have a loving family that I love dearly, What I need most from you is what you already give so well: friendship, patience, and plenty of laughs. If you don’t understand me just smile and nod. If I need help, I’ll ask. I am going to continue to work doing Real Estate Mortgage Loans for as long as I can talk and my clients hear and understand what I am saying.
Thank you for being a part of my life. I’m grateful beyond words, and looking forward to making many more good memories together – no matter what comes.
When my time comes to an end, I have instructed my family that I want to be cremated, an Irish and Norwegian (viking) tradition, and just like the Irish and Vikings, my ashes to be spread across the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. My happy place has always been in or on water, I started competitive swimming at age 4, water skiing at 12, Scuba Diving under the rigs in the Gulf of Mexico at 16, and have lived on water (homes on a lake) for the last 20 years. So if you are ever swimming in the Gulf of Mexico, just know that I will be swimming there as well, There will be no memorial service or funeral – those are only sad events and no fun to attend. Instead, the next time you have a drink in your hand say this age old Irish Toast for me – “To Dan, May you be at the gates of heaven an hour before the devil knows you’re dead!”
Preferably do this anytime between now and then - before i pass on to Heaven or Valhalla (viking heaven) – that way the devil doesn’t have a chance in hell. HaHa

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