Tariff rollback is good news for the lagging market
In addition to lowering costs, the 90-day pause could improve consumer confidence and rejuvenate the slow spring homebuying season.
May 12, 2025
Dave Gallagher
Director, News Reporting
Dave's journalism career spans 24 years covering business, the economy and real estate in Northwest Washington. He's also a numbers nerd, examining data to spot emerging trends in industries. Having started his career as a sports writer, he's a lifelong baseball and soccer fan and recently discovered pickleball. He grew up in Yosemite National Park and earned his journalism degree at Humboldt State University in northern California.
- Compass CEO trumpets growth — and seller choiceRobert Reffkin championed the company’s listing strategy and strong Q1 numbers during an earnings call, noting that Compass continues to outpace the industry.May 8, 2025
- Buyers back in the market as mortgage rates plateauAn uptick in mortgage applications and stabilizing rates could be signs that the slow spring homebuying season has potential for some turnaround.May 8, 2025
- Mortgages, rentals push Zillow into profitabilityRevenue jumped 13% and traffic increased 5%, beating expectations. CEO Jeremy Wacksman credited bundled offerings while affirming Zillow’s new listing rules.May 7, 2025
- AI is becoming table stakes for real estate techMore than half of the technology products highlighted in T3 Sixty's newly released Tech 200 incorporate AI. This year’s list also includes 20 startups.May 7, 2025
- eXp focused on global growth, tech as domestic revenue flattensThe brokerage’s international division doubled its revenue this quarter, and the company is investing heavily in tech and AI: “These are not short-term bets.”May 6, 2025
- Two key real estate bills take aim at industry regulationsNAR’s speech code, intended to prevent discrimination via hate speech, is targeted in Texas, while Florida seeks to scrap its real estate commission.May 1, 2025
- Mortgage rates tick down — but will the drop entice buyers?A rise in inventory is giving homebuyers more choices, but economic uncertainty and affordability continue to drag on sales.May 1, 2025
- Is it starting to look rosy for buyers this spring?A new Bright MLS survey suggests a rise in inventory is making it easier for buyers to find their next home.April 30, 2025
- Homes.com looks to gain ‘solid’ leadership position in 2-4 yearsCoStar CEO Andy Florance said the company is ready to take advantage of industry changes “with a superior product and aggressive marketing campaign.”April 29, 2025
- Hope for home sales wanes in revised forecastFannie Mae’s latest report anticipates the market will remain sluggish until the end of 2025, but there is a potential for improvement in 2026.April 29, 2025
- Zillow gains more support for new listing policyA third brokerage has endorsed the portal’s pro-MLS stance. Meanwhile, Zillow is phasing out its two-tab search display for markets with no commingling rules.April 26, 2025
- Can an ‘AI agent’ get homebuyers to the finish line?A newly launched proptech company with Zillow roots offers tools to guide buyers through a transaction without representation or “agent pressure.”April 25, 2025
- Existing sales lethargic in March despite slowing price growthThe pace of sales lagged behind last year’s rate, with mortgage applications and demand signals declining as economic uncertainty continues to take a toll.April 24, 2025
- New home sales experience ‘surprising’ boostHomebuyers embraced lower mortgage rates in March before new tariffs were announced, causing home sales to jump amid persistent economic concerns.April 23, 2025
- CRMLS says ‘no thanks’ to NAR's delayed marketing optionThe MLS contends that the policy offers no benefits to consumers and was created to “placate” the “powerful, national brokerages” that oppose Clear Cooperation.April 22, 2025
- Home value forecast takes a rare negative turnZillow’s predicted difference from March 2025 to March 2026 went from barely positive to down 1.7%. And ongoing economic uncertainty isn’t helping.April 21, 2025
- Mandatory NAR membership facing a new legal challengeThe Georgia case joins a handful of others as agents argue they are being forced to pay unnecessary association fees to gain access to listings.April 19, 2025
- Buyers back off, sellers face reality as slowdown continuesEconomic experts warn home sales may begin to slow as concerns about the economy and fluctuating mortgage rates give potential homebuyers pause.April 17, 2025
- Builders already seeing costs rise despite tariff pausesWhile confidence edged up in April, builders are concerned about future sales as supplier price hikes stand to add nearly $11,000 to the cost of a new home.April 16, 2025
