A strong finish for new home sales in December
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.
January 27, 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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- Late-year gains fail to push home sales above 2023 levelsDespite an uptick in December, existing home sales ended the year at just over 4 million, the lowest rate since 1995.January 24, 2025
- Easing rents could mean fewer buyers this springWith affordability improving for apartment dwellers — and mortgage rates and home prices still high — renters may continue to delay home purchases.January 23, 2025
- Mortgage rates dip for the first time in 6 weeksThe 30-year fixed rate averaged just under 7% this week, according to Freddie Mac, but some economists are already revising their 2025 forecasts upward.January 23, 2025
- KW's Mark Willis trades CEO role for new leadership positionAfter 14 months at the helm, Willis is moving into a new C-level role focused on teaching and developing leaders within the company.January 22, 2025
- Trump ‘relief’ order short on specifics, but builders are hopefulA Jan. 20 memo targeting cost-of-living and housing issues includes regulatory cuts — a win for builders — but inflation and labor shortages could boost prices.January 21, 2025
- Millions of young (and not-so-young) adults still live at homeFacing affordability challenges, the share of 25- to 34-year-olds living with parents has risen after trending down during the pandemic.January 21, 2025
- Why one broker took on NAR: ‘They just keep overreaching’A Texas lawsuit is about more than membership rules, it’s about forcing NAR’s hand. “The louder we roar, the more likely we are to actually make them change.”January 21, 2025
- eXp, Weichert settlements looking more dubiousThe judge in the Gibson/Umpa case filed an order laying out “plausible evidence” that the brokerages used a reverse auction strategy to find the best deal.January 17, 2025
- New construction ends 2024 on a high noteHousing starts were way up for the year, and prospects look good heading into 2025 — but the economy and policy decisions could present some challenges.January 17, 2025
- Average mortgage rates top 7% for the first time in 8 monthsRates increased for a fifth straight week, but the latest inflation data could be a sign that relief is coming.January 16, 2025
- NAR asks court to dismiss Michigan mandatory membership caseTying association membership to MLS access isn’t anticompetitive, the defendants argue, while also claiming the plaintiffs are contradicting themselves.January 16, 2025
- Compass boosts outlook, expects 2024 revenue to top $5.6BThe brokerage revised its fourth-quarter and full-year earnings forecast upward, also noting that it added more than 650 agents in Q4.January 15, 2025
- Clear Cooperation lawsuit dismissed (again)TAN, a private listing network, has agreed to drop its case against NAR after nearly five years of litigation and previous dismissals. Will this be the end?January 14, 2025
- Former NAR president lived by his belief in ‘The Power of One’Tennessee Realtor and association leader Martin Edwards, Jr. passed away last week, leaving a legacy of service and advocacy.January 10, 2025
- Mortgage rates soar following strong jobs reportThe 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.January 10, 2025
- Housing supply and demand could shift dramatically in 10 yearsPopulation growth is slowing, which means fewer new households — and fewer new homes needed. But immigration is still a wild card.January 10, 2025
- Mortgage rates drift higher — but buyer activity picks upWeekly averages moved closer to 7%, but upcoming labor market reports could change the trajectory.January 9, 2025
- Brokerages in Georgia commissions case ask for settlement approvalWith all deals now disclosed, the parties have requested preliminary approval, but the eXp and Weichert settlements are still under scrutiny in another court.Updated January 10, 2025
- Housing optimism up 'substantially' compared to a year agoConsumer sentiment was relatively high in December, largely driven by expectations of declining mortgage rates in 2025.January 7, 2025
