I Emceed Rock the Locks (and Proposed!) — Plus Why Buyers Finally Have the Upper Hand

I just got back from emceeing Rock the Locks over the weekend — honestly a total rocket ship (and yes, I proposed to Alisa backstage and she said yes) — and we kick this midweek Punch List off with that high-energy recap before diving into the real stuff. We dig into fresh housing data: mortgage rates have crept back above 7% (Freddie Mac ~7.03%, Bankrate ~7.33%), existing-home sales hit a 2026 low, and Redfin says there were about 57.9% more sellers than buyers in August — the most lopsided market on record. That imbalance means tons of price cuts (Denver hit 31.4% of listings with cuts; Portland about 30.5%), builders are even buying down interest rates by a couple points in some markets to compete, and remodeling activity is stalling as homeowners hold off on big projects. We also run a hard-hitting recalls roundup — from online mattresses failing flammability rules to smart glasses that can overheat, reclining-chair battery packs sold on Amazon, heated blankets, infrared saunas that can short and overheat, pool heaters risking carbon monoxide, and more — so if you’ve got any of that gear, please go check it. Bottom line: great music and good vibes at the festival, but the housing market’s getting messy and your stuff might be a recall away from drama — we walk you through what to watch and what to do next, plus I sneak in a teaser for our weekend show and the new YouTube reviews (generator and one-person grill tested at the fest).

Takeaways:

I emceed Rock the Locks last weekend, proposed to Alisa backstage, and honestly couldn't stop smiling — it was an epic, music-fueled highlight that reminded me why live events matter.We're seeing mortgage rates around seven percent (and sometimes higher), which is squeezing buyers, cooling sales, and making now a real window for renters with savings to pounce.I dug into Redfin's August data — about 57.9% more sellers than buyers nationally — and that lopsided inventory gives buyers real leverage in many markets.We're watching builders buy down interest by as much as two points, so new construction with lower rates and big warranties is outcompeting comparable existing homes right now.We ran the recall scoreboard on the show — everything from tens of thousands of flammable online mattresses to overheating smart glasses and saunas — so please check cpsc.gov and double-check what you bought.I'm seeing remodeling stall and contractors reporting record cancellations, meaning homeowners are favoring repairs over big projects and planning more cautiously this cycle.

Links referenced in this episode:

cpsc.gov

Thanks for listening to Around the house if you want to hear more please subscribe so you get notified of the latest episode as it posts at https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/listen

If you want to join the Around the House Insider for access to the back catalog, Exclusive Content and a direct email to Eric G and access to the show early https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/support

We love comments and we would love reviews on how this information has helped you on your house! Thanks for listening! For more information about the show head to https://aroundthehouseonline.com/

Information given on the Around the House Show should not be considered construction or design advice for your specific project, nor is it intended to replace consulting at your home or jobsite by a building professional. The views and opinions expressed by those interviewed on the podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Around the House Show.