By the Numbers

Federal policy changes could impact real estate in surprising ways, but economists are predicting fairly modest shifts in the new year.

So far, the pace of home sales has been slower this year, but the fall bump in pending sales could translate to a December rally — if mortgage rates drop.

Buyers found a bit of relief last month, leading to more sales activity — but rising inflation is lurking heading into the holidays.

The turnaround for existing sales came at a time when mortgage rates were closer to 6%. With rates on the rise, economists are dialing back sales forecasts.

The reversal follows 14 years of larger gains for homes in high-risk areas, suggesting that buyers may be less willing to move to disaster-prone regions.

The construction industry expects the new administration to loosen regulations, which could boost sales, though other challenges remain.

With the election over and rates appearing to stabilize, more would-be buyers were looking at homes this past week.

If home price growth continues at the current pace, “America will be completely divided,” said Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. The solution? “More supply.”

Yun expects existing sales to rise 9% next year and even more in 2026, though the market has proved difficult to predict in recent years.

Despite a 25-point cut by the central bank, rates rose for a sixth straight week while applications fell sharply.

In the short term, expect "rising and more unpredictable mortgage rates." But the Fed will likely stay the course and issue a modest rate cut this week.

September’s low rates gave pending sales a boost, but as mortgage rates climb for a fifth straight week, enthusiasm is expected to wane.

The latest numbers suggest that, for the third consecutive fall season, rates will crest that dreaded threshold.

September’s lower mortgage rates may have given a boost to the new construction sector, but buyer enthusiasm could be waning as rates climb back up.

Lower mortgage rates and rising inventory failed to entice buyers, particularly first-timers, as prices continued their year-over-year climb.

Most haven't, data shows, as they wait for the post-settlement dust to settle. Instead, they’re leaning into agent relationships and rethinking incentives.

Buyers flooded the Austin market a few years ago, sending home prices sky-high. Now, the market has come back to earth, but affordability is still an issue.

A recent survey found that while both veterans and civilians are feeling more prepared to buy, veterans are more likely to purchase a home in the next year.

Mortgage rates moved up again, but for the market as a whole, “the worst may be behind us.” Plus, improving builder optimism could mean more future supply.

A range of competing factors are driving volatility in rates, making it harder to forecast their direction — but they're likely to decline further this year.