HousingWire Daily Mortgage rates and labor data, plus the next Fed chair
22 snips
Jan 23, 2026 
Logan Mohtashami, a lead analyst known for his sharp insights into the housing and mortgage markets, discusses the latest jobs data and its implications. He reveals that while the labor market shows signs of softening, it isn’t in recession territory. Logan highlights the 323K jobless claims threshold and the risks of rising mortgage rates due to stronger labor conditions. He also dives into the manufacturing sector's trends and forecasts a relatively positive housing outlook for 2026, while cautioning about potential rate hikes.
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Episode notes
Cereal Audition Story
- Logan recounts a habit from his acting days about spilling cereal during auditions.
- He used the story to joke about product placement and on-camera awareness.
Debating A Doomsday Housing Thesis
- Logan describes debating a well-known doomer who predicted a dramatic home-price crash from a 'new world order.'
- He mocked the conspiracy-driven rationale as unrealistic for near-term housing moves.
Labor Market Drives Rate Direction
- If labor doesn't break, bond yields and mortgage rates may stay elevated despite hopes for lower rates.
- The Fed's path and the next chairman will strongly influence whether yields fall or rise in 2026.