Then, slowly but surely, going from sugar to shinola, it died.First, with an adjusted ARV bracket of $328k - $430k, in an area averaging $109 a sf, the (automated) Property Value their offers are based on went from OK to absurd - $195k for a 4,200 sf property that needs a roof, interior and exterior paint, MAYBE a kitchen and (5) bath remodels, and electrical, all of which we had a $75k rehab budget on.

What to Watch This WeekSeveral important economic reports could move mortgage rates this week:• Consumer Price Index (CPI) – Wednesday • Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) inflation report – Friday • Existing Home Sales – Tuesday • Housing construction data – Thursday • Weekly unemployment claims – ThursdayThese reports will provide more clues about inflation, the labor market, and the direction of interest rates.Technical PictureMortgage bonds moved lower last week as rising oil prices and geopolitical tensions raised concerns about inflation.Meanwhile, the 10-year Treasury yield is trading within a new range, facing resistance near its 50-day moving average while support sits around the 4.126% Fibonacci level.Mortgage rates will likely continue reacting to inflation data and labor market trends in the weeks ahead.

Supply is still the bottleneck.Let’s break down what actually matters heading into spring 2026.PCE Inflation Runs Hotter Than ForecastDecember’s Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) report — the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge — came in slightly above expectations.Headline inflation: +0.4% for the month, 2.9% annuallyCore inflation: +0.4% for the month, 3.0% annuallyStreaming services jumped nearly 20% in December, adding unusual pressure to the monthly number.What this means for mortgage rates:Inflation is still above the Fed’s 2% target, which keeps policymakers cautious on rate cuts.However — context matters.Higher inflation readings from early 2025 will soon roll off the annual comparison.

No tech-boom sugar highs.

I house hack myself so easy to relate to clients but mainly what I do different is I actually only send out good deals to clients and I know how to run numbers, most agents lie and sugar coat instead I tell people all the time if I do not think a deal they send me is good for them, etc. 

@Bryn Kaufman That absolutely sucks - no sugar coating it.

Juggling bills to maintain present consumption?

Best thing is for threads and content like this very thread to be out there for public consumption.

The intention is not to generate more income but to reduce the consumption of income through lower ongoing maintenance expense.

Alcohol consumption in the U.S. has hit a record low, with only 54% of adults reporting they drink, down 13% since 2020.