09/23/2026
US Consumer Confidence Hits a Seven-Month Low
Lately, we’ve seen US consumer confidence dip to a seven-month low—even as folks felt a bit better about their current situation in mid-Q3, worries about income, business, and jobs in the coming months became more pronounced. The present-conditions index jumped by about 7 points to 121, but the expectations gauge dropped by around 6 points to 68, which is a level that’s often linked to recession risk. Early in Q3, employers cut 23,000 jobs and unemployment ticked up to about 4%, mainly because more people stepped out of the workforce—not necessarily because hiring picked up. Even with confidence a bit softer, homebuying expectations barely budged and actually kept climbing, with around 61% still predicting interest rates to go higher. With policymakers keeping rates steady and the market not expecting quick relief, it looks like borrowing costs will likely remain elevated through the end of the year. As someone who loves helping people find a place to create lifelong memories, I’m always tuned in to these shifts—because your journey to a new home is about more than just numbers; it’s about finding the right place, even in challenging times.