By the Numbers

Housing starts fell in January, and builders are less optimistic about the next six months as new federal policies could increase costs and reduce workforces.

Demand is weak, rates remain elevated and sellers appear weary — but buyers may return to the market this spring to take advantage of “deals on the margins.”

The latest CPI data suggests rates will remain elevated heading into the spring shopping season, and some analysts now expect just one rate cut this year.

The price of building materials could rise by an additional 4-6% in the next 12 months, or 10% overall, according to a new report from CoreLogic.

The latest employment report was mixed, but stronger wage growth means rate cuts will probably remain paused through the spring homebuying season.

Rates appear to have stabilized in the upper-6% range, while an increase in new listings points to an early rise in inventory ahead of the spring season.

A 4-month streak of gains seemed to be setting up a strong start to the new year, but sales slipped in December — “not welcome news” for hopeful agents.

“We’re not on any preset course,” said Fed Chair Jerome Powell, who noted it was too early to predict how Trump policies will affect the economy.

Sales were up at the end of 2024, and for the full year, increased by 2.5% over 2023 — in contrast to existing home sales, which fell short of 2023 numbers.

Despite an uptick in December, existing home sales ended the year at just over 4 million, the lowest rate since 1995.

With affordability improving for apartment dwellers — and mortgage rates and home prices still high — renters may continue to delay home purchases.

The 30-year fixed rate averaged just under 7% this week, according to Freddie Mac, but some economists are already revising their 2025 forecasts upward.

Facing affordability challenges, the share of 25- to 34-year-olds living with parents has risen after trending down during the pandemic.

Housing starts were way up for the year, and prospects look good heading into 2025 — but the economy and policy decisions could present some challenges.

Rates increased for a fifth straight week, but the latest inflation data could be a sign that relief is coming.

When the Fed lowers interest rates, a drop in mortgage rates often follows — but recently, the opposite has happened. Here’s why.

After improving earlier in the year, sentiment plunged between the third and fourth quarters of 2024, though flippers were less pessimistic than landlords.

The employment data is good news for workers, but it means the Federal Reserve is unlikely to cut rates later this month, keeping borrowing costs elevated.

Population growth is slowing, which means fewer new households — and fewer new homes needed. But immigration is still a wild card.

Weekly averages moved closer to 7%, but upcoming labor market reports could change the trajectory.