Inflation just ticked up to 2.7% — so yeah, mortgage rates might follow suit.
Hopes for a Fed rate cut this month? Pretty much gone after June's CPI data.
Tariffs are back on the table Aug 1 — and could quietly push rates even higher.
New tax law = mixed bag: bigger deductions help homeowners, but may raise long-term rates.
Bottom line: no crash, no miracle — just bumpy moves until inflation and Fed find clarity.