Quick, plain-English takes on mortgage rates, the housing market, refinancing and reverse mortgages from Russell McDonald and the team at Wymac Capital. New videos are added regularly. Subscribe on YouTube.
January 7, 2026
Job Growth Is Hiding White-Collar Job Losses
Private payrolls added jobs in December, but most of the gains came from service industries. White-collar sectors like professional and business services actually lost jobs, which weakens the outlook beneath the…
January 6, 2026
It’s Different This Time And Here’s Why It’s Not 2008
Normally when people say “it’s different this time,” they’re wrong. But this time, it actually is different. Today’s housing market is slowing due to higher costs, not collapsing from bad lending like 2008.
January 2, 2026
The Condo Market Hasn’t Been This Bad in Over a Decade
The condo market is in its worst slump in over a decade and prices are falling even as single-family homes hold value. Rising HOA dues, tighter financing rules, and higher monthly costs are crushing demand. This is…
December 30, 2025
Home Prices Are Easing. Affordability Isn’t.
Home prices are easing in some areas, but affordability is still being shaped by rates, inventory, and lending rules. This is not a simple story.
December 29, 2025
Buyers Are Finally Moving Again
Pending home sales just surged to their highest level in nearly three years. That signals buyers are stepping back in and closings are coming next.
December 24, 2025
Jobless Claims Are Lying Right Now
Weekly jobless claims fell, but holiday season data is volatile and often misleading. The real issue is weak hiring and people staying unemployed longer.
December 23, 2025
This GDP Number Is Misleading
GDP growth just came in at 4.3 percent and blew past expectations. But this was delayed data and the details matter far more than the headline.
December 22, 2025
The Jobs Numbers Were Never Real
The QCEW data is the final count for jobs and it shows employment growth was massively overstated. This explains why the labor market feels weaker than reported.
December 19, 2025
Inflation Just Cracked
Inflation just dropped to its lowest pace in years. Headline CPI fell to 2.7 percent and core CPI dropped to 2.6 percent. The biggest shift came from shelter costs finally cooling.
December 19, 2025
The Fed Admits CPI May Be Distorted
A Federal Reserve official says November’s CPI may have been distorted by technical factors. That raises serious questions about how clean the inflation data really is and what it means for rates.
December 18, 2025
This Jobs Data Is Being Misread
Weekly jobless claims fell but that does not signal labor market strength. Seasonal swings mask a low hire low fire economy where hiring is weak and unemployment pressure remains. This trend matters for rates.
December 18, 2025
Inflation Just Cooled Where It Matters Most
Inflation just slowed to its lowest pace in years. Headline CPI fell to 2.7 percent and core CPI dropped to 2.6 percent. The biggest signal came from shelter costs which finally cooled.
Russell McDonald | NMLS 290837 | Broker CA DRE 01150730
Wymac Capital Inc | NMLS 18766 | Broker CA DRE 01121628
Real Estate Broker – CA Dept of Real Estate