CPI Comes In Better Than Expected: What This Means For Rates | January 13, 2026

On today’s Hot Sheet, Byron Lazine broke down the January CPI report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, showing inflation up 0.2% on the month and 2.4% year over year as energy prices fell 1.5%.

He also covered the National Association of REALTORS® report showing existing-home sales dropped 8.4% to a 3.91M pace while affordability improved and median prices rose to $396,800.

For today’s third topic, Byron reviewed Zillow’s new data on the $10,470 annual “singles tax” renters face when living alone.