According to NAR’s Chief Economist Lawrence Yun, the good news is that the housing recession has officially ended—even though the recovery is just getting started. What’s Changing? Why It Matters When homes sell quickly and bids are competitive, it means demand is high while supply is low. Homebuilders are responding by ramping up construction and …
Category: Real Estate Tips
Sep 03
When New and Existing Homes Go Their Separate Ways
In today’s housing market, new and existing home inventories are heading in opposite directions—and that’s a big deal for buyers and sellers alike. What’s Going On? Why Are Existing Homes Stuck? Many homeowners are reluctant to sell because they’re locked into rock-bottom mortgage rates—2.5% to 3%—that are rare in today’s market. Letting go of those …
Sep 02
What Buyers Really Need (A Friendlier Take)
Let’s be real: last year was a wild one for real estate. New-home sales were killing it—buoyed by a 33% increase in inventory and builders offering more affordable options. On the flip side, existing-home sales took a dive—the lowest since 2008—because supply was about half of pre-pandemic levels. Even with mortgage rates up, buyers were …
Aug 29
What Lies Ahead for Housing and the Real Estate Market
Strong Underlying Demand 2023 saw existing-home sales hit their lowest levels in nearly three decades, largely because homeowners were locked into ultra-low mortgage rates, housing inventory was scarce, and interest rates were climbing. Yet, when viewed through a broader lens, the picture changes: 4 million existing-home sales in 2023 equaled the total from 1995, despite …
Aug 28
Striking the Right Balance: Home Inventory & Policy Insights
In the current real estate landscape, while new-home builders recorded strong activity—posting roughly 40% more inventory in 2023 than in 2019—existing-home sellers have sharply curtailed listings. Established neighborhoods witnessed a 40% drop in existing-home inventory over the same period. This supply squeeze has fueled multiple-offer scenarios and propelled prices to unprecedented levels. Inventory Trends: A …
Aug 27
Retreat for First-Time Homebuyers: A Market Turning in Your Favor
Inventory Is Rising—but Still Below Pre-COVID Levels Homebuyers are starting to breathe easier as housing supply begins to recover. Listings are up nearly 20% compared to last fall—great news for buyers. Still, overall inventory remains about one-third below the levels seen before the pandemic. Why the uptick? Life and career changes are prompting more homeowners …
Aug 25
The Real Estate Outlook: Why There’s Finally Reason to Be Optimistic
After what feels like an eternity of economic uncertainty, rising interest rates, and sky-high home prices, we finally have some good news to share: the real estate market is showing signs of real, sustainable improvement. Yes, things are looking up—and not just a little. If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines waiting for the right …
Aug 22
Contract Signings Climb Modestly, Closing Out a Slow Spring Market
Housing Market Update: A Little Spring Bump in Home Contracts 🌱🏡 June 26, 2025 — It looks like the spring housing market finally found a bit of its footing. After a choppy few months, pending home sales ticked up 1.8% in May, giving buyers, sellers, and real estate pros alike a small reason to smile. …
Aug 21
Solving the Housing Shortfall: Insights from Economist Nadia Evangelou
Homes on the market have surged—up nearly 20% compared to a year ago—offering a glimmer of hope in a market long hindered by limited inventory. While this uptick slightly eases price pressures in some regions, supply still falls well short of demand in many markets, keeping a large group of prospective buyers locked out. Who’s …
Aug 19
Mortgage Forbearance and Its Ripple Effects in Today’s Housing Market
What Is Mortgage Forbearance? Mortgage forbearance is a temporary arrangement with your lender that allows you to pause or reduce mortgage payments when facing a short-term financial hardship—like job loss, illness, or natural disaster. While forbearance offers breathing room, it doesn’t cancel what’s owed. Deferred payments and accrued interest must eventually be repaid under agreed …
Aug 18
Gain a Local Advantage with the New NAR Metro Market Statistics Dashboard
A Powerful Member-Only Resource NAR has introduced a brand-new, member-exclusive tool: the Metro Market Statistics Dashboard. Think of it as your one-stop shop for local housing market insights—updated every month and tailored to over 200 metropolitan areas. It delivers a clear snapshot of local market conditions, including: As NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun puts it, …
Aug 15
The “Magic” Mortgage Rate That Could Heat Up the Market
Even as mortgage rates remain elevated, buyer interest is waiting on a trigger—and according to the latest from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), that trigger is a 30-year fixed rate of 6%. Why 6% Matters Now NAR economists estimate that a drop to 6% would expand affordability to an additional 5.5 million households, including …
