Minnesota's housing theme still boils down to affordability. On the national stage, the Fed again held rates steady under its new leadership—and even hinted that the next move could be up or down. They’re data dependent. Inflation has been stubborn since tensions flared in the Middle East. May saw the highest reading since 2023, as the conflict continues to drive energy prices. June and July numbers were slightly more encouraging but still above the Fed’s stated target. And because they follow the 10-year treasury yield, this of course pushed mortgage rates up toward 6.7%, the highest level in about a year. If the Middle East stabilizes and inflation cools, the outlook for the second half of the year could improve. But the fundamentals haven't changed: housing is local, tied to local jobs, local incomes, and local housing supply. Despite the uncertainty, owning a home hasn't lost its luster for most Minnesotans—it's still very much the goal.