Things feel cautious as families weigh climbing borrowing costs against a softening labor market.

Today, things feel cautious as Freddie Mac reports the 30-year mortgage rate hit 6.69% as of August 8, 2026. Over on r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer, people are still finding ways in using down-payment assistance. However, with the Federal Reserve noting an unexpected loss of 23,000 jobs in July, the overall mood remains guarded.