Volatile interest rates today due to the consumer inflation index report.

Good.This is Not 2007Interest rates are unlikely to crash housing prices, the labor market, consumer spending and economy are too strong.

The average consumer is some what aware of these layoff trends, inflation, higher interest rates, and higher home prices.

I feel that is bad for both consumers and agents.

I have been fully consumed in all the BP podcasts and it pushed me to turn my primary residence in Wilmington into a long term rental. 

Do you have to be a licensed agent to be appointed with MSI or can consumers get quotes and bind?

If it's consumer debt, that's one thing, but if it's debt on your rentals, that shouldn't matter (or at least as much). 

You need the fireblocking of sheetrock, drywall, plasterboard, gypsum wallboard, call it what you will.A more time-consuming way of doing this is to install 2x4 blocking between studs at the level of the cabinet backstrips or mounting rails.

You also need to stock the house with consumables such as coffee, towels, dish soap and body wash and shampoo etc.  

Because the consumers are using the same exact #'s for there actions right, $2k per month in "affordability" is still $2k per month.