Mortgage rates are falling, but economic uncertainty grows
Rates fell to the lowest level in two months — good news for affordability — but pending sales also dipped, and declining confidence may keep buyers sidelined.
February 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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- Home price growth hasn't been this slow for a decadePrices are still going up, but 2024 ended with just 4.5% annual growth. Regionally, the Northeast is still going strong, while the Sunbelt has cooled.February 26, 2025
- Are new homes starting to get bigger?Following years of declines, the square footage of single-family home starts was up at the end of 2024. If mortgage rates ease, that trend could continue.February 25, 2025
- Fewer agents are switching brokeragesWhile agents tend to shop around in January, movement was unusually subdued last month. To woo top talent, brokerage leaders may have to get creative.February 24, 2025
- Existing home sales stalled last month, but demand is lurkingWhile down sharply from December, sales are off to a better start vs. 2023 — and buyers who can handle elevated rates have fresh inventory to choose from.February 21, 2025
- eXp revenue up as it looks to excel in a down marketAnticipating a slow recovery, company leaders said they’re focused on efficiency and agent productivity. Revenue rose 7% in 2024, but net losses were also up.February 20, 2025
- Mortgage rates seem stuck — so what will bring back buyers?Rates have dipped slightly, but demand is weak. Agents hope rising inventory and increased bargaining power will prompt more buyers to move forward this spring.February 20, 2025
- CoStar revenue still going strong, but income keeps fallingThe company touted its Homes.com Network as the No. 2 residential marketplace and said it sees opportunities to “win away” rental listings from rivals.February 19, 2025
- Home construction projects stall as builder outlook plungesHousing starts fell in January, and builders are less optimistic about the next six months as new federal policies could increase costs and reduce workforces.February 19, 2025
- Gary Keller: We’re in a ‘trough,’ but a reset may be comingIn a keynote presentation, the KW co-founder and other leaders discussed what an uncertain economy means for real estate — and what agents need to tell clients.February 18, 2025
- KW’s festive Family Reunion to include a dose of realityWith the real estate industry only midway through a slowdown cycle, the flagship Keller Williams event looks to help agents “get through it” and thrive.February 17, 2025
- DOJ debates ‘commingling’ with Zillow and NAR in REX caseThe Justice Department is concerned the case, which Zillow won in 2023, could set a bad precedent and allow other organizations to circumvent antitrust laws.February 14, 2025
- The housing data looks ugly. How will the market respond?Demand is weak, rates remain elevated and sellers appear weary — but buyers may return to the market this spring to take advantage of “deals on the margins.”February 13, 2025
- Rising inflation dims hopes for mortgage rate reliefThe latest CPI data suggests rates will remain elevated heading into the spring shopping season, and some analysts now expect just one rate cut this year.February 12, 2025
- Redfin to cut 450 roles following Zillow rentals dealThe company, which signed an exclusive listings partnership with Zillow on Feb. 11, will complete the layoffs in July as it restructures its rentals segment.February 12, 2025
- ‘Super app’ success helped Zillow outperform the market in 2024The home search giant beat revenue expectations in Q4 as it continued to make big strides in mortgages and rentals, and announced a new partnership with Redfin.February 11, 2025
- 15 more commissions settlements on track for final approvalSeveral smaller brokerages and two MLSs named in the Keel and Gibson cases are scheduled for a final hearing on June 24.February 11, 2025
- Tariffs, home construction and affordabilityThe price of building materials could rise by an additional 4-6% in the next 12 months, or 10% overall, according to a new report from CoreLogic.February 10, 2025
- Gibson plaintiffs clap back at eXp, WeichertThe arguments over reverse auction allegations continued this week, with the plaintiffs saying the brokerages shopped around to “settle on the cheap.”February 7, 2025
- Rate cuts this spring? Unlikely, given new jobs dataThe latest employment report was mixed, but stronger wage growth means rate cuts will probably remain paused through the spring homebuying season.February 7, 2025
