The weekly briefing for owners who plan to stay independent.

The hike came — and fuel is now the second squeeze

1. The Fed hiked to 3.75%–4% — the first increase in three years — and the mortgage rate crossed 7%
2. The real cost shock is fuel: diesel set an all-time record near $6.29 and oil blew past $100
3. Demand is bifurcating: homeowners are doing fewer projects but spending 36% more on each
4. Consolidation hit the "roll-up of the roll-ups" — and valuations split K-shaped by quality
5. It's official-ish: no Atlantic hurricane by September 21 — and the only US threat is a rainy Gulf system