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The 10 best states to raise a family
Visualizing How Americans Spend Their Money and 12 more real estate insights
Latest Rates
Loan Type | Rate | Daily Change | Wkly Change | Mthly Change | Yrly Change | 52-Wk Low/High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
30 Yr. Fixed | 7.07% | -0.04% | -0.01% | -0.04% | +0.17% | 6.11/7.52 |
15 Yr. Fixed | 6.48% | -0.03% | -0.02% | +0.01% | +0.17% | 5.54/6.91 |
30 Yr. FHA | 6.50% | -0.04% | +0.03% | +0.05% | +0.30% | 5.65/7.00 |
30 Yr. Jumbo | 7.35% | -0.02% | +0.00% | +0.02% | +0.09% | 6.37/7.68 |
7/6 SOFR ARM | 6.92% | -0.02% | -0.05% | -0.10% | +0.60% | 5.95/7.55 |
30 Yr. VA | 6.51% | -0.04% | +0.03% | +0.05% | +0.26% | 5.66/7.03 |
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Macro Trends
The US household sector enters 2025 in excellent shape link

US households have seen a remarkable increase in stock and home prices over the last 15 years, significantly outpacing household debt growth. This has driven the debt-to-asset ratio to its lowest level in 50 years.
The current financial health of US households is bolstered by strong financial markets and rising home values. These factors have created substantial wealth relative to liabilities.
The debt-to-asset ratio data, sourced from the Federal Reserve, shows a robust financial position for households entering 2025. This is a key indicator of financial resilience.
Real Estate Trends
The 10 best states to raise a family, revealed link

Massachusetts ranks as the best state for raising families, despite its high costs, with a median list price of $985,000. It excels in education, job security, and health care quality, including the lowest infant mortality rate in the country.
Minnesota secures second place with a median family income exceeding $104,000 and the second-lowest poverty rate. The state is noted for its excellent public health systems and high rates of family stability with a low divorce rate.
North Dakota ranks third, with families spending just 16.5% of their income on average annual rent. It also shines in child care quality, with the second-highest number of daycares per capita and one of the nation’s lowest separation rates for families.
click on the link to see the rest of the list.
US single-family rent index – January 2025 link
Annual U.S. rent growth slowed to 1.5% year over year, marking the slowest pace in 14 years. Detroit outperformed, with rents growing at more than four times the national rate.
Despite slowing rent increases, rental demand remains strong, fueled by ongoing wage and job growth. This trend is likely to sustain demand in key rental markets.
CoreLogic's report highlights regional variations, with some areas continuing to see significant rent surges. Detroit's performance underscores how some cities are defying broader national trends.
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Instagram
70% of CRE investors plan to increase acquisitions this year link

70% of CRE investors expect to purchase more assets in 2025, while just under half plan to sell more. CBRE predicts increased competition for properties, likely stabilizing prices as capital flows grow.
Multifamily and industrial sectors remain investor favorites, with retail gaining interest. However, distressed pricing opportunities are still limited due to the extend-and-pretend approach.
Treasury yields above 4.60% and volatile interest rates are creating headwinds, but investors remain optimistic. CBRE suggests that a slow pace of Federal Reserve interest rate cuts might further impact allocations.
Why it’s so hard to find starter homes in the U.S. link
Starter homes under 1,400 square feet now make up just 9% of new builds, down from 40% in 1982. Rising construction costs, limited land, and restrictive zoning laws are key factors behind this decline.
Home prices have surged over 52% nationwide from January 2020 to October 2024, while labor and material costs rose by 50% over the last decade. Land prices have climbed two and a half times more, making affordability a major issue.
First-time homebuyers face record-high barriers, with their median age reaching 38 in 2024, compared to 29 in 1981. Meanwhile, an unusual market dynamic shows low first-time buyers but a high number of cash buyers.
Location Specific
Boston-Cambridge life sciences market sees 770 BPS spike in vacancy link
Vacancy rates in the Boston-Cambridge life sciences market surged 770 basis points in 2024, reaching 19.8%. This marks the highest level recorded by Savills since 2019.
Available space increased sharply from 9.9 million square feet in 2023 to 13.1 million square feet in 2024, driven by market stagnation. Construction activity also dropped from 7.7 million square feet in Q4 2023 to 5.6 million square feet in Q4 2024 due to subdued demand.
Venture capital and NIH funding saw slight declines, with venture funding steady at $2.3 billion while NIH funding dipped from $3.2 billion to $3.1 billion year-over-year. The largest leases included Korro Bio (50,000 sq. ft.) and Ultragenyx Pharmaceuticals (40,100 sq. ft.).
Pro Member Only Content Below
Most of the insights below stem from extra research and include content from paid sources and special reports.
The resilient performance of master-planned communities in 2024
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Top 10 metros with the highest annual increases in gross profits in 2024
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States where properties are at most risk of wildfires
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Five wild card markets for 2025
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SFR rents 20% higher than multifamily rents
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15 counties with the sharpest increases in property taxes
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Off Topic
Visualizing How Americans Spend Their Money

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