The economy sent mixed signals this week. Stocks finished higher, helped by technology shares and some relief in oil prices, while elevated bond yields and mortgage rates continued to weigh on homebuyers.
Stocks and bonds. On Friday, the Dow closed at 51,828.62, the S&P 500 at 7,743.41, and the Nasdaq at 27,068.72. All three gained for the week, with the Nasdaq leading. Treasury yields remained high: the 10-year yield briefly reached approximately 5.23% on Friday, even as stocks rose. Higher bond yields can keep mortgage borrowing expensive. portfolio-terminal.com
Inflation, jobs and interest rates. The latest Consumer Price Index showed prices rising 3.4% over the year through August and 0.4% during August. The most recent jobs report showed 162,000 jobs added in August, with unemployment steady at 4.1%. Those figures help explain why inflation remains a concern even with a resilient job market. The Federal Reserve raised its policy rate on September 16. 2026 M08 Results
Mortgage rates. Freddie Mac’s September 24 survey put the average 30-year fixed rate at 7.03%, up from 6.95% the prior week. The 15-year rate averaged 6.42%. These are national averages; an individual buyer’s quote will depend on the loan and borrower. Freddie Mac
World events. Developments involving Iran and Middle East oil supplies moved energy prices throughout the week. Hopes for diplomatic progress helped oil retreat and supported stocks, but concerns about energy costs and inflation continued to pressure bonds. For housing, that matters because persistent inflation can keep borrowing costs high even when the stock market has a strong week. reuters.com
Our local housing markets. The latest available city figures are for the three months ending August, so they describe recent conditions rather than sales closed this week:
Area | Median sale price | Change from a year earlier |
|---|---|---|
Westlake Village | About $1.5 million | Up 5.4% Redfin |
Thousand Oaks | About $1.1 million | Down 6.6% redfin.com |
Agoura Hills | About $1.3 million | Up 11.9% Redfin |
Los Angeles city | About $1.1 million | Down 1.4% Redfin |
The different directions show why a citywide headline cannot price an individual home. With mortgage rates above 7%, buyers should compare the full monthly payment and financing options. Sellers should base their asking price on recent nearby sales and the condition of competing homes.
Thinking of buying or selling in Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills or Los Angeles? Contact Tina Lucarelli of Beverly & Company and Luke Real Estate, Inc. for a neighborhood-specific market review and a plan tailored to your goals.
