Lot sales spike after LA fires amid rebuilding challenges
California’s January wildfires ravaged Altadena and the Pacific Palisades, but optimism is helping the communities maintain their spirit.
July 22, 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.
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- As buyers gain leverage, more are backing out of salesRedfin data indicates buyers are gaining negotiating power as pending sales cancellations hit the highest level for the month of June since at least 2017.July 21, 2025
- Builders turn their back on single-family homesHousing permits, starts and completions were all down year-over-year in June as rates and material costs remain elevated, continuing a “worrying pattern.”July 18, 2025
- Buyer demand holds — even as mortgage rates tick back upWhile some sellers seem to be reacting to the shift toward a buyers market, stubbornly high mortgage rates aren’t making the transition easy for buyers.July 17, 2025
- NAR economist downgrades sales forecast, eyes rebound in 2026Lawrence Yun said this week that home sales could still tick up slightly this year, and if mortgage rates hit 6%, next year could see double-digit growth.July 17, 2025
- Antitrust case against NAR, top brokerages dismissedA 2024 lawsuit accused the defendants of conspiring to boycott flat-fee brokerage Homie, but a judge said it was filed too late and failed to prove its claims.July 16, 2025
- Nearly 3 in 5 buyers looking for homes outside their cityAffordability and lifestyle preferences may be driving home shoppers’ online searches for homes in new locations, Realtor.com data suggests.July 15, 2025
- New Zillow tools aim to help buyers, improve agent workflowsThe five “summer launch” features include a drone-like view of listings, tour scheduling updates and other “magic wand” improvements for agents.July 14, 2025
- Mortgage rate uptick leaves summer market on standbyMortgage applications are up, but a rise in rates combined with job loss concerns and tariff uncertainty could kill the momentum.July 10, 2025
- Is the surge in delistings good news for buyers?Homes are spending more time on the market and about 20% of listings are getting price cuts, according to Realtor.com’s latest market trends report.July 8, 2025
- Is the US losing its largest group of international buyers?There has been a significant drop in Canada-based searches for U.S. homes amid escalating tensions between the two countries, Redfin data indicates.July 7, 2025
- Strong jobs report throws cold water on July rate cutDespite falling mortgage rates and low unemployment, the combination of economic uncertainty and high home prices indicates the market slowdown will continue.July 3, 2025
- Compass ‘has not and will not adhere’ to Clear CooperationIn an email to MLS and NAR leaders, CEO Robert Reffkin says the brokerage is not bound by the CCP and will not ask its agents to comply with the policy.July 2, 2025
- eXp, Weichert still can’t avoid Gibson caseA Missouri court said discovery can continue in the commissions lawsuit even though a Georgia judge granted preliminary approval of deals in a related case.July 1, 2025
- PLS, Umansky ready for a rematch with NAR in refiled lawsuitThe case involving Clear Cooperation and Mauricio Umansky’s pocket listings network has been revived as The Agency founder makes good on his threat to sue NAR.July 1, 2025
- Zillow readies for battle with CompassThe home search site intends to officially oppose Compass’ preliminary injunction motion by July 18.June 30, 2025
- Little consensus on rate cuts this yearMore members of the Federal Reserve are talking about interest rate cuts, with some pushing for action soon and others concerned about tariff impacts.June 30, 2025
- As housing inventory improves, so does affordabilityDespite continued regional differences, housing affordability was sunnier in 43 of the top 50 markets in April, according to First American’s June report.June 28, 2025
- MLS extending push for transparency to referral feesNew disclosure forms will help buyers and sellers understand who is getting paid — and how much — during home transactions, Northwest MLS says.June 27, 2025
- Pending sales defy expectations, spark hope for a reboundMortgage rates continued to decline in another positive sign for the market. But new listings lost steam in June amid ongoing economic uncertainty.June 26, 2025
