Late-summer jump in homebuying activity bucks expectations
While pending home sales increased in August, some economists say mortgage rates need to fall closer to 6% before the market can “improve more noticeably.”
September 29, 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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- Nosalek, Hooper settlements nearing final approvalWith no more written objections allowed, the dates are set for final settlement hearings in two key commissions cases. Up first: Nosalek on Sept. 29.September 26, 2025
- A government shutdown seems likely — will it affect real estate?The industry might not feel a direct impact, but a shutdown could intensify economic concerns that have slowed market activity for months. Plus: Fed, FHFA news.September 26, 2025
- Stalled existing home sales dim hope for a fall rallyMeanwhile, mortgage rates ticked back up after several weeks of declines — but 30-year rates are still holding close to 11-month lows.September 25, 2025
- Economists wary as new home sales hit 3-year highThe month-over-month jump “likely overstates any improvement in housing activity,” according to Nancy Vanden Houten, lead economist at Oxford Economics.September 24, 2025
- Home sales to jump nearly 10% in 2026, forecasters sayMortgage rates are also expected to fall to 5.9% by the end of next year, according to Fannie Mae’s September Economic and Housing Outlook.September 23, 2025
- Compass deal a ‘major power play’ that could disrupt the industryReal estate leaders are speculating on the future of Zillow, NAR and MLSs following the Compass-Anywhere acquisition news, while investors snapped up stock.September 22, 2025
- Opendoor taps longtime finance exec as interim CFOThe leadership shifts continue as Christy Schwartz, who has also served as the iBuyer’s chief accounting officer, steps into a role she held from 2022-2024.September 19, 2025
- Why did mortgage rates just go up?The Fed’s Sept. 17 rate cut was expected, but new unemployment numbers were not, causing volatility this week. Still, affordability could improve by year end.September 18, 2025
- Mortgage rates approach 6% as Fed makes first rate cut this yearThe anticipated 25-basis-point cut may not push mortgage rates down further, but refi and purchase applications are way up, a positive sign for the fall market.September 17, 2025
- Builders see hope for the future as mortgage rates fallBuilder confidence remained low in September, according to the NAHB — but many are optimistic that declining mortgage rates will bring buyers back.September 16, 2025
- How Zillow sees its relationship with agents and brokersRealizing it was “inextricably linked to the entire industry,” the portal began investing in tools for all agents, not just paying customers, said COO Jun Choo.September 16, 2025
- Will a rate cut by the Fed jumpstart home sales?The weak job market may initially temper homebuyer demand, but eventually, falling rates should help “revive sales activity.”September 15, 2025
- Zillow begins pulling photos involved in copyright lawsuitCoStar sued Zillow in July for allegedly using over 46,000 CoStar-owned images on its website, and says the portal is now trying "to hide its wrongdoing."Updated September 5, 2025
- Mortgage rates continue 7-week decline ahead of key jobs reportA year ago, surprising jobs data sent rates soaring. This year’s Sept. 4 report could also be pivotal, potentially resulting in volatility heading into fall.September 4, 2025
- Homeowner households drop for the first time since 2016Meanwhile, renter households have jumped, Redfin reported, citing affordability and other issues. But lower home prices could “be the headline” in a few months.September 3, 2025
- ‘Housing emergency’ action could bring relief to builders, buyersDetails are scarce, but if the White House follows through on a potential emergency declaration, it could boost U.S. housing supply and improve affordability.Updated September 3, 2025
- Investors snapping up nearly 1 in 3 homes, report findsSmaller investors are seizing the opportunity as economic pressures make it tough for many buyers to afford a home, according to a recent Cotality report.September 2, 2025
- Why are mortgage rates so hard to predict?It’s possible mortgage rates — which have recently hovered under 6.6% — will drop to 6%, one economist noted, but it could take a couple of years to get there.August 30, 2025
- Offerpad enters meme stock territory as shares surgeThe iBuyer’s shares jumped over 85% on Aug. 28 — just a few weeks after Opendoor avoided delisting with some help from activist investors.Updated August 29, 2025
