Inflation Nears 2% : A Glimmer of Hope for Lower Rates

There’s a bright spot in the economic landscape as inflation inches closer to the Federal Reserve’s target, fueling optimism for possible rate cuts in the near future.

New data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) shows that the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index — the Fed’s preferred measure of inflation — rose just 2.1% in April from a year earlier. That’s down from 2.3% in March and tantalizingly close to the Fed’s 2% goal. Even more encouraging, core inflation, which excludes food and energy costs, fell to 2.5% — its lowest level this year.

This steady cooling of inflation suggests that the conditions are aligning for the Fed to consider trimming interest rates. Fed Chair Jerome Powell has been clear: rates will only come down when inflation settles at 2%. We’re not there yet, but we’re inching ever closer.

At the same time, the economic backdrop remains a bit of a roller coaster. The Trump administration’s sweeping global tariffs have hit some legal turbulence, with courts putting them on hold, then pausing those rulings. While the uncertainty around these tariffs could create upward pressure on inflation down the line, their ultimate impact remains to be seen.

In the meantime, the housing market is already seeing some small wins. Mortgage rates are inching down, with 30-year fixed rates falling to 6.99% and 15-year loans at 6.82% — a welcome shift for homebuyers and sellers alike.

Policymakers, including Powell, are carefully weighing these developments. They’re mindful of the risks — from tariffs to potential price hikes by big retailers — but they’re also keeping a close eye on the encouraging signs in the data.

The big takeaway? Inflation is cooling, and that’s good news for the economy. While the Fed is taking a cautious approach for now, the steady progress in the inflation numbers offers hope that relief could be on the way — and that’s something worth celebrating!

How Google’s VEO3 is Redefining Real Estate Video Marketing
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Michael Ward and Bobby Moats are back to dish out the latest insider on how AI is making waves in the real estate world. In this episode, they dive deep into the jaw-dropping potential of Google’s VEO3 — a game-changing tool that’s turning AI video from sci-fi dreams to real estate marketing reality.

Remember those clunky, weird AI videos from just a couple of years ago? Well, VEO3 has flipped the script. We’re talking photorealistic videos, complete with synchronized audio and realistic movements — and it’s just getting started. Imagine creating a virtual walkthrough video of a property (or even yourself as an agent) in just minutes. Sure, it’s not perfect yet, but it’s clear: this is a monumental leap forward.

Bobby puts it perfectly: “This is the worst it will ever be.” And that’s both thrilling and a bit scary.

For agents and brokers, the real magic here is that you can now create stunning, believable content without being tied to your camera or needing perfect staging every time. Think of how this tech can help you:
✅ Showcase listings even if you can’t be on-site.
✅ Create dynamic content that captures attention on social media.
✅ Build trust by showing clients that you’re ahead of the curve.

This offers a surprisingly accessible way to bring a powerful video presence to your brand, with a payoff that could be absolutely massive!

Our take? VEO3 is more than a novelty. It’s a sneak peek at how AI video will blend with human creativity to revolutionize how we connect, market, and sell in real estate. The future is here — and it’s video-powered!

Want to see how AI tools like VEO3 can elevate your game? Book a demo with us and unlock your potential!

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