10/04/2026
JOBS SLOWED. INFLATION COOLED. HOME PRICES KEPT GROWING.
This was a big week for economic data, especially jobs and inflation.
The September Jobs Report showed the economy added just 29,000 jobs, well below expectations, while unemployment moved from 4.1% to 4.2%.
ADP showed private employers added 90,000 jobs, but job openings also came in below expectations at 7.08 million.
Why does all of this matter?
The labor market is one of the biggest things the Federal Reserve is watching right now. A continued slowdown in hiring could give the Fed more room to lower rates, especially if inflation continues moving in the right direction.
And we got some encouraging news there too.
The Fed's preferred inflation measure, PCE, came in cooler than expected. Annual headline inflation was 3.4% versus the 3.7% forecast, while core inflation was 3.0% versus 3.3% expected.
So we had softer employment AND cooler than expected inflation.
Both are important pieces of the puzzle for where rates could go next.
Housing was also interesting.
Case Shiller showed home prices increased nearly 3% from March through July, even with mortgage rates rising during part of that period.
That's an important reminder that housing doesn't move based on one national number. Rates matter, but so do inventory, location, demand, price point and financing strategy.
That's especially true in new construction communities like The Aurora Highlands and Hardin Farms.
Builders are offering some compelling financing incentives right now. But there are also mortgage strategies available outside of those traditional incentives that can be competitive with both builder offers and today’s market rates, while providing a completely different way to manage cash flow, liquidity, investments and mortgage debt.
The Bigger Picture isn't just the house.
It's how the house fits into everything else you're building.
HOMES | WEALTH | FREEDOM | WHAT'S NEXT
📸 And a quick note on this week’s photo: I took it during the Aurora Borealis here in Colorado. That red reflecting off the sculpture is from the northern lights. Pretty cool night.