Buyers back off, sellers face reality as slowdown continues
Economic experts warn home sales may begin to slow as concerns about the economy and fluctuating mortgage rates give potential homebuyers pause.
April 17, 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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- 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
- HomeServices’ new CEO ready to ‘go back on offense’Chris Kelly is eager to move past the challenges of the past 18 months and focus on unifying and growing the company, with agents and consumers at the core.April 16, 2025
- Gino Blefari steps down as HomeServices CEOAfter more than 5 years in the top role, Blefari, now chairman emeritus, is handing off the reins to Chris Kelly, the company's executive vice president.Updated April 16, 2025
- Could home prices stall — or reverse course — in 2025?Fannie Mae economists are scaling back their price growth estimates for the year as mortgage rates hang around 7%, and some analysts believe prices could fall.April 15, 2025
- Sellers motivated by rates, bullish on sale pricesA new Realtor.com survey indicates homeowners thinking about selling are closely monitoring mortgage rates as they await the right moment to enter the market.April 14, 2025
- Gibson judge refuses to step downJudge Stephen Bough will continue to oversee the case despite efforts by multiple defendants to have him removed over an alleged conflict of interest.April 11, 2025
- Two directions for home sales amid economic turmoilConsumer anxiety could "freeze the housing market" — or encourage buyers and sellers to act if they expect things to get worse.April 10, 2025
- Canadian lumber taxes could further increase new home costsIndependently of other recent tariffs, the U.S. is preparing to more than double levies on softwood lumber from Canada, and builders should “plan accordingly.”April 9, 2025
- EXIT Realty settles in Gibson commissions caseDetails of the deal were not disclosed in the April 8 filing. Meanwhile, a few of the remaining defendants are trying to get the judge removed from the case.April 8, 2025
- Fannie Mae shakeups continue with ‘unethical conduct’ firingsOver 100 employees have been fired since FHFA Director William Pulte began his tenure, the agency announced, while Pulte took to X to highlight other cuts.April 8, 2025
- Mortgage rates surge amid tariff uncertaintyAfter trending down last week, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage had its largest 24-hour increase of 2025 on Monday — and climbed even closer to 7% on Tuesday.Updated April 8, 2025
- How would privatizing Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac impact buyers?As the FHFA signals an interest in loosening control of the GSEs, experts predict mortgage rates would rise as a result — but the increase might be temporary.April 7, 2025
- Expect a ‘mortgage rate roller coaster’ following new tariffsRates may drop in the short-term before inflation ramps up, but stock market volatility, higher prices and rising unemployment could stall home purchases.April 3, 2025
- Agents are making more money despite the tough marketA new Redfin survey found that many agents reported higher income in 2024 than in 2023, but concerns about the economy and industry changes persisted.April 3, 2025
- The US needs 40 million more low-cost homesThe number of households that can only afford homes under $300K far exceeds the supply at that price point, while there is a glut of homes valued at $2M and up.April 2, 2025
- Judge in MLS PIN case signals approval despite DOJ pushbackThe $3.95 million settlement aligns with NAR math, but unlike NAR’s agreement, allows the Massachusetts MLS to continue displaying offers of compensation.April 1, 2025
- Gibson plaintiffs don’t get to block eXp, Weichert dealsThe judge in Georgia’s Hooper case said the Missouri home sellers can file objections but can’t intervene to stop the settlement process from moving forward.March 31, 2025
- Slow pace of home sales points to a subdued spring seasonPending sales are trending behind last year as high prices, economic uncertainty weigh on consumers — but there are positive signs in the new home market.March 27, 2025
- Nosalek parties make final pitch to move settlement forwardMLS PIN and the plaintiffs refuted the DOJ’s recent claim that the agreement only “maintains the status quo”; Keel, Gibson lawyers ask for their paychecks.March 27, 2025
