Even though mortgage rates are rising again, there are signs the housing market remains strong. The latest sign is the National Association of Realtors Pending Home Sales Index for September, which rose by 7.6% over August. The Index is at its highest level since March.
Pending home sales are one of the real estate industrys most forward-looking indicators because it reflects the number of contracts that were signed during the month but have not yet closed. Its a particularly strong number since the home-buying season usually slows at the end of the summer.
"Contract signings went up in all regions as buyers took advantage of lower mortgage rates in late summer and more options in inventory, said Lawrence Yun, NARs chief economist. We expect more gains if the economy keeps adding jobs, inventory grows, and mortgage rates remain steady."
Looking ahead, Yun predicts slower growth in home prices and an increase in sales over the next two years.
"After slow home sales in 2023 and 2024, we expect existing-home sales to rise to 4.47 million in 2025 and over 5 million in 2026," Yun explained. "Home prices are expected to grow at a slower rate, similar to the consumer price index, due to more supply entering the market."
Yun forecasts the median existing-home price will reach $410,700 in 2025 and $420,000 in 2026. The annual 30-year fixed mortgage rate is expected to drop to 5.9% in 2025 but then rise to 6.1% in 2026.
Regional breakdown
In the Northeast, the Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI) increased by 6.5% from last month to 65.6, which is 3.3% higher than in September 2023. The Midwest index jumped 7.1% to 75.0 in September, the same as the previous year.
The South's PHSI went up by 6.7% to 89.0 in September, unchanged from a year ago. The West saw a significant increase of 9.8% from the previous month to 64.0, which is 12.3% higher than in September 2023.
Photo Credit: Consumer Affairs News Department Images
Here are todays top U.S. food recall / outbreak alerts. Some of these may have been reported earlier but are still "live" and deserving of your attention.
Prepared pasta meals / pasta salads (multiple brands, via Nates / FreshRealm supply chain)
Hazard: Listeria monocytogenes contamination in precooked pasta used in readytoeat meals and deli salads
Affected states / retailers: 15 states so far, products sold via Kroger, Walmart, Albertsons, Trader Joes, Sprouts, Giant Eagle, etc. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
Illnesses / injuries: 20 illnesses, 19 hospitalizations, 4 deaths (plus 1 fetal loss) (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
Full notice: FDA 2025 Recalls of Prepared Pasta Meals (Frozen and ReadyToEat) (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
Frozen organic spinach (Del Mar / Sno Pac)
Hazard: Listeria monocytogenes contamination
Affected states / retailers: nationwide distribution; Del Mar bulk spinach used to repack Sno Pac 10oz containers sold across U.S. (Allrecipes)
Illnesses / injuries: No illnesses reported to date (Allrecipes)
Full notice: FDA recall listing (via Ongoing Recalls) (Allrecipes)
Bens Original / Ready Rice (Long Grain White, Whole Grain Brown, Long Grain & Wild)
Hazard: presence of small stones / hard foreign material
Affected states / retailers: nationwide sold at HEB, Target, Amazon, Piggly Wiggly, etc. (Health)
Illnesses / injuries: None reported so far (risk of oral/digestive injury) (Health)
Full notice: FDA / company recall (via press) Bens Original Recall: Ready Rice (Health)
Wawa beverage products (3 items)
Hazard: potential foreign object contamination
Affected states / retailers: Wawa stores in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania (Allrecipes)
Illnesses / injuries: None publicly reported so far (Allrecipes)
Full notice: FDA recall announcement (via media) (Allrecipes)
Ground cinnamon (16 brands, multiple names)
Hazard: elevated lead levels
Affected states / retailers: brands like HATAE, Roshni, Durra, Wise Wife, Jiva Organic, Super Brand; sold broadly (including CT) (CT Insider)
Illnesses / injuries: Lead exposureespecially risky for children, but no acute outbreak reported (CT Insider)
Full notice: FDA recall listing (updated Oct 2025) (CT Insider)
Veggie Spring Rolls (Aldi / Fusia Asian Inspirations)
Hazard: undeclared shrimp (allergen risk)
Affected states / retailers: sold nationwide via Aldi stores (Health)
Illnesses / injuries: None reported to date (allergic risk) (Health)
Full notice: FDA recall entry / company notice via Aldi & Tai Foong USA (Health)
Ongoing Listeria outbreak expansion Prepared meals (FreshRealm / beef meatball marinara linguine added)
Hazard: Listeria monocytogenes contamination
Affected states / retailers: meals distributed via FreshRealm; broad geographic scope as part of existing outbreak (CDC)
Illnesses / injuries: 3 additional illnesses and 1 additional death added in latest update (CDC)
Full notice: CDC media release CDC expands Listeria outbreak alert (CDC)
If no further new recalls are found, these represent the current highpriority alerts as of today.
Scammers are exploiting confusion around the government shutdown with fake calls and texts impersonating agencies like the IRS and Social Security Administration.
TNS expert John Haraburda warns of rising AI-driven , including fake political town halls and fraudulent fundraising campaigns.
Consumers should stay alert, verify information through official sources, and report suspicious messages to the FTC or their State Attorney General.
With the government shutdown officially taking effect, many Americans are understandably confused about what it means for their Social Security checks, Medicare benefits, or tax refunds.
Unfortunately, scammers are wasting no time taking advantage of that uncertainty. Across the country, people are getting realistic-sounding calls and texts claiming to be from government agencies like the IRS or Social Security Administration often warning of service interruptions or asking people to verify personal information.
To help consumers avoid these , ConsumerAffairs spoke with John Haraburda, a robocall scam expert with Transaction Network Services (TNS). He explained that the volume of these impersonation attempts is rising fast, and AI-driven sound more convincing than ever.
Haraburda breaks down what these look like, why shutdown news has become their perfect cover, and what steps consumers can take right now to protect themselves.
The biggest risks
According to Harabuda, there are two main types of scam risks related to the government shutdown: election fraud threat and fundraising .
Bad actors impersonate members of Congress and host fake virtual town halls with fraudulent donation requests designed to capture personal or financial information, Harabuda said.
Weve also seen an increase in fundraising claiming to support government organizations impacted by the shutdown and allegedly lacking funds.
Where you are may play a role
While these are popping up nationwide, Harabuda says that consumers in some areas may be more susceptible than others.
There has been a noticeable uptick in spam traffic in Washington, D.C., he explained. In general, cities with federal offices or military bases have been targeted by fraudsters throughout the shutdown.
How to protect yourself from these
Harabuda shared the top four tips for consumers to protect themselves from getting caught up in one of these :
Do not click on unknown links: These spam attacks often prompt users to donate, directing them to malicious websites that request bank account details, credit card numbers, or other sensitive personal information. Never share personal or financial details through unverified links.
Verify with official sources: Before clicking on suspicious links, confirm the legitimacy of any political or charitable cause through official websites or trusted organizations.
Look for red flags: Even convincing robocalls and robotexts may contain small errors such as misspelled names, incorrect organization titles, or unofficial web addresses.
Report and block: Block any number that sends a suspicious call or text, and report the scam to the FTC or your State Attorney General.
If Americans find themselves caught in one of these government shutdown , they should hang up immediately, report the number to their State Attorney General, and block it from their phone, Harabuda said.
Textron E-Z-GO recall for thousands of personal vehicles due to fire risk
Owners of E-Z-GO personal transportation vehicles should stop use and schedule a free repair due to a significant fuel leak hazard.
Fuel can leak at engine connection, risking fire and injury
About 90,800 vehicles in the US, plus 7,300 in Canada, recalled
Owners should arrange for a free repair through Textron E-Z-GO
Textron E-Z-GO LLC is recalling about 90,800 E-Z-GO personal transportation vehicles (PTVs) sold in the United States, with an additional 7,300 units sold in Canada, due to a serious fire and injury hazard. Owners should stop using the vehicles immediately and contact the company for a free repair.
The hazard
The recalled vehicles can leak fuel at the quick-connect fitting between the fuel line and the fuel injector mounted on the engine. This defect poses a risk of serious injury and fire. No injuries have been reported.
What to do
Consumers should stop using the affected PTVs and contact Textron E-Z-GO to schedule a free repair.
Company contact
Textron E-Z-GO
Toll-free: 888-438-3946, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday
Consumers should stop use and request a refund from Wilteexs
About 1,100 Wilteexs-branded bioethanol fuel bottles are being recalled due to a violation of federal safety standards. The bottles lack flame mitigation devices, posing a deadly flash fire risk, and also carry misleading Non Toxic claims. No injuries have been reported.
The hazard
The recalled bioethanol bottles lack required flame mitigation devices, which can result in a dangerous flash fire. The bottles also carry deceptive disclaimers, violating hazardous substances regulations.
What to do
Consumers should stop using the bottles immediately and contact Wilteexs for a refund.
Belivium baby lounger recall over suffocation and entrapment danger
Parents should stop using Belivium baby loungers purchased on Amazon and request a refund due to serious safety violations.
Loungers violate infant sleep product standards, risking suffocation and entrapment
About 280 units recalled, sold in various colors and prints
Consumers urged to stop use and contact Belivium for a refund
Belivium baby loungers sold on Amazon are being recalled due to multiple violations of infant sleep safety standards. The loungers pose suffocation, fall and entrapment hazards for infants.
The hazard
The loungers have side and pad dimensions that do not meet safety requirements, creating suffocation, fall and entrapment risks. The design creates an unsafe sleeping environment for infants.
What to do
Consumers should stop using the baby loungers immediately and contact Belivium to request a refund.
WLIVE recall for tens of thousands of fabric dressers due to tip-over risk
Owners of WLIVE 12-drawer dressers should stop use and request a refund due to serious tip-over and entrapment hazards.
Dressers can tip over if not anchored, risking injury or death to children
About 76,500 units recalled, sold in various colors on Amazon
Stop use and contact WLIVE for a refund
WLIVE fabric 12-drawer dressers, sold in multiple colors on Amazon, are recalled due to instability and violation of federal safety standards. The dressers pose a serious risk of tipping over and trapping children.
The hazard
If not anchored to the wall, these dressers can tip over, posing a risk of serious injury or death to children. One tip-over incident has been reported.
What to do
Consumers should stop using the recalled dressers and contact WLIVE for a full refund.
Company contact
WLIVE
Collect: 833-367-7572, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday
Email: wliveproductrecall@wlivehome.com
Online: wlivehome.com (Recall at the top of the page)
Super Wheels recall for 1,860 Vaast A/1 bicycles over fall risk
Consumers must stop using Vaast A/1 bicycles and frames immediately due to the risk of frame fractures and falls.
Hairline frame fractures can cause tube separation and falls
1,860 bicycles and framesets affected in the US
Stop use and contact Super Wheels for free frame replacement and repair
Super Wheels Inc. is recalling 1,860 Vaast A/1 bicycles and framesets after reports of frame fractures and falls. Consumers are urged to stop using the bikes immediately.
The hazard
Hairline fractures may develop near a weld in the frame, potentially causing the tubes to separate and leading to a fall. There have been 22 reports of frame fractures and three of tube separation, including one minor injury.
What to do
Stop using the bicycles and framesets immediately. Register your bike with the company to receive a free replacement frame and up to $200 to cover the cost of rebuilding the bike at a shop.
Company contact
Super Wheels Inc. (formerly Allite Inc.)
Toll-free: 855-430-6240, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday
RH recall for hundreds of Byron tables and desks due to collapse hazard
SUBTITLE:
Consumers should stop using RH Byron tables and desks and request a refund after a reported collapse and injury.
Tables and desks can collapse if a gap forms, risking injury
About 750 units recalled in the US
Stop use and contact RH for a refund
RH US, LLC is recalling about 750 Byron tables and desks after a reported collapse resulted in lacerations. Affected products include several models in stone, marble or wood.
The hazard
A gap between the leg and tabletop can cause the furniture to collapse when force is applied, putting users at risk for injury.
What to do
Stop using the recalled tables and desks immediately and contact RH for a refund.
Company contact
RH
Toll-free: 833-359-5394, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
iFIT recall for tens of thousands of NordicTrack rowers due to fire hazard
Owners of NordicTrack RW900 rowing machines should stop use and arrange a free repair after fire and property damage reports.
Console can overheat and ignite, risking fire
About 44,800 units recalled in the US, plus 700 in Canada
Stop use and contact iFIT for a free repair
iFIT Inc. is recalling about 44,800 NordicTrack RW900 rowing machines after reports of smoking, melting and fire. Owners should stop using the machines and request a repair.
The hazard
The screen console of the affected rowing machines can overheat and ignite, posing a fire risk. There have been eight incidents, including two fires and at least $6,000 in property damage.
What to do
Stop using the recalled machines immediately and contact iFIT to arrange a free repair.
Company contact
iFIT
Toll-free: 833-680-4348, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. MT, Monday through Friday
VESTA.DS recall for tens of thousands of tankless water heaters due to CO poisoning risk
Households with VST-brand gas boilers should stop using affected models and arrange a free repair to prevent carbon monoxide exposure.
Exhaust duct can crack, risking carbon monoxide poisoning or death
About 36,700 units recalled in the US, plus 3,500 in Canada
Consumers should contact VESTA.DS for free repair
VESTA.DS, Inc. is recalling about 36,700 VST-brand wall-mounted gas boilers due to a cracked exhaust duct that can release dangerous gases inside the home.
The hazard
A crack in the exhaust duct allows exhaust gases, including carbon monoxide, to escape indoors. This can result in serious injury or death. There have been 33 reports of cracked exhaust ducts, but no injuries.
What to do
Stop using the affected boilers and contact VESTA.DS for a free repair.
Company contact
VESTA.DS
Toll-free: 888-505-5525, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday
About 19,300 Yamaha golf cars from 20212025 models affected
Owners should schedule a free stoplight installation through Yamaha
Yamaha Golf Car Company is recalling about 19,300 model year 20212025 Drive 2 Personal Transportation Vehicles due to a lack of stop lights, creating a crash hazard.
The hazard
The recalled golf cars do not have stop lights, which increases the risk of serious injury or death in a crash.
What to do
Owners should stop using the vehicles and contact a Yamaha dealer to schedule a free stoplight installation. Yamaha can provide transportation or install the fix at your location if needed.
Company contact
Yamaha
Toll-free: 866-747-4027, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET every day
October 10, 2025: FDA adds HAETAE and Roshni ground cinnamon to its list of products with elevated lead levels.
October 8, 2025: Durra and Wise Wife brands were also found to contain unsafe levels of lead.
Earlier updates have included Jiva Organic, Super Brand, and Asli cinnamon, with testing continuing nationwide.
Cinnamon is a popular way to spice up the holidays, but consumers should be aware of potential danger. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded its public health alert on ground cinnamon products after discovering elevated levels of lead in additional brands sold nationwide.
The latest update, issued earlier this month, adds HAETAE-brand and Roshni-brand ground cinnamon to a growing list of products that federal and state agencies say may be unsafe to consume.
Since August 2024, the FDA and its state partners have been testing ground cinnamon products at retail locations nationwide. The FDA said these tests have revealed lead concentrations ranging from 2.03 to 7.68 parts per million (ppm) in several brands including Super Brand, Asli, Jiva Organic, Durra, Wise Wife, and now HAETAE and Roshni.
The affected products have been sold by distributors and retailers in multiple states, including California, New York, New Jersey, Florida, Maryland, and Missouri. While many firms have agreed to voluntary recalls, the FDA says it has not yet been able to contact Haitai Inc. USA, the distributor of HAETAE-brand cinnamon, to initiate a recall.
Potential health risks
The FDA warns that consuming these products could contribute to elevated blood lead levels, particularly dangerous for infants, young children, and pregnant individuals. Prolonged exposure even at relatively low concentrations can lead to neurological damage, developmental delays, and lowered IQ in children.
Although no illnesses have been reported to date, the agency stresses that symptoms of lead exposure may not be immediately apparent. Consumers who suspect exposure should consult a healthcare provider for testing and advice.
Even small amounts of lead, when consumed over time, can be harmful, especially to young children, the FDA said. Consumers should check their pantries and dispose of any of the listed products.
Discard affected products
The FDA is urging all consumers to stop using and throw away any ground cinnamon products listed in its updated alert. The agency also reminds the public that spices have a long shelf life, meaning contaminated products may still be in homes long after purchase.
Consumers can find the full list of affected brands, lot numbers, and images on the FDAs website. The agency will continue to update the alert as new testing results become available.
This latest alert marks the third public health warning on cinnamon products in 2025, part of the FDAs ongoing efforts under its Closer to Zero initiative, which aims to minimize childrens exposure to lead, arsenic, and other toxic elements in foods.
The agency began intensified testing after last years high-profile recall of WanaBana cinnamon apple puree and applesauce, which contained dangerously high lead levels as much as 5,110 ppm, far exceeding levels now found in ground cinnamon.
Teal pumpkins signal allergy-friendly treats homes with teal pumpkins offer non-food items for kids with food allergies.
The movement is part of the Teal Pumpkin Project, a nationwide effort by Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE).
Parents and neighbors alike can participate easily by displaying a teal pumpkin and offering safe alternatives.
As Halloween decorations go up and candy bowls fill across the country, a growing number of homes are adding an unexpected color to the mix teal. Bright blue-green pumpkins are appearing on front porches, but they arent just trendy dcor; they carry a message of inclusion and safety for children with food allergies and other dietary restrictions.
The Teal Pumpkin Project, launched in 2014 by Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), encourages households to place a teal-colored pumpkin on their porch to let trick-or-treaters know that allergy-friendly treats are available. Instead of traditional candies that often contain peanuts, milk, soy, or gluten, participating homes offer small toys, stickers, glow sticks, or other non-food surprises.
Why it matters
For the roughly one in 13 children in the United States with food allergies, Halloween can be a stressful time. Many popular candies contain common allergens, and even a trace amount can trigger a serious reaction. The teal pumpkin provides a simple visual cue that helps families plan safe routes for their children and participate in the fun without fear.
Dr. Sung Poblete, CEO of FARE, has said the initiative helps make Halloween safer and more inclusive for all children, while also raising awareness about the seriousness of food allergies.
How to participate
Getting involved in the Teal Pumpkin Project is easy:
Display a teal pumpkin on your doorstep you can buy one or paint a real pumpkin.
Offer non-food treats, such as bubbles, erasers, temporary tattoos, or small toys.
List your house on the Teal Pumpkin Project map, available on FAREs website, so families know where to find allergy-friendly stops.
FARE also recommends keeping non-food treats in a separate bowl from candy to prevent cross-contamination.
What began as a grassroots idea in a Tennessee community has grown into a nationwide campaign spanning all 50 states and even international communities. The teal pumpkin has become a symbol of kindness and awareness, reminding neighbors that inclusion can start with something as small as a pumpkin on the porch.
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