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- The US economy is in great shape
The US economy is in great shape
Visualizing the Global Population in 2035, by Generation and 12 more real estate insights
Latest Rates
Loan Type | Rate | Daily Change | Wkly Change | Monthly Change | Yearly Change | 52-Wk Low/High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
30 Yr. Fixed | 7.08% | +0.00% | -0.05% | +0.04% | +0.21% | 6.11/7.52 |
15 Yr. Fixed | 6.50% | -0.01% | -0.02% | +0.07% | +0.27% | 5.54/6.91 |
30 Yr. FHA | 6.48% | +0.03% | -0.07% | +0.06% | +0.36% | 5.65/7.00 |
30 Yr. Jumbo | 7.35% | +0.00% | -0.05% | +0.07% | +0.14% | 6.37/7.68 |
7/6 SOFR ARM | 6.95% | +0.03% | -0.10% | -0.03% | +0.66% | 5.95/7.55 |
30 Yr. VA | 6.49% | +0.02% | -0.09% | +0.06% | +0.36% | 5.66/7.03 |
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Macro Trends
The US economy is in great shape link

The US economy is benefiting from multiple tailwinds, including increased spending on data centers, AI, defense, and government initiatives like the CHIPS Act and the Infrastructure Act. This strong spending foundation is expected to drive growth through 2025.
High GDP growth at 3.1% and core inflation at 3.2% present upside risks to inflation, despite a robust economic outlook. Federal Reserve cuts and rising asset prices add further momentum to economic activity.
Weekly bankruptcy filings for companies with over $50 million in liabilities remain low, and job cuts are minimal. This indicates a resilient business environment with steady corporate health.
Real Estate Trends
Home sales are stalled with 7% mortgages link
Pending home sales dropped 10% compared to the same week last year, with only 45,000 new contracts started this week. Total homes in the pending stage also fell by nearly 2% year-over-year.
Inventory climbed to 632,000 single-family homes, up 25% from last year. Condos showed even higher growth, with a 30% increase in unsold units year-over-year.
The median price for pending home sales is flat at $375,000, reflecting weak demand. Newly listed homes are priced at $409,000, only 2.5% higher than last year, signaling minimal price growth.
Trump orders ‘emergency price relief’ on housing—what does it mean link
The order aims to reduce housing costs and expand supply but lacks specific actions, while affordability remains at a 40-year low. Nearly half of renters are cost-burdened, paying more than 30% of their income on rent.
Regulations contribute to 23.8% of new home prices, costing an average of $93,870 per unit. Trump’s focus includes slashing regulatory barriers to reduce construction costs.
A proposed plan to use federal land for housing could boost supply but faces challenges as most federal land is in the Western U.S., far from demand-heavy areas. Environmental and logistical concerns must also be addressed.
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Instagram
Single-family home construction rises in December despite higher mortgage rates link
Single-family housing starts increased by 3.3% in December, reaching an annual rate of 1,050,000, despite higher borrowing costs. Total housing starts, including multifamily units, jumped 15.8% from November but were 4.4% lower than the same period last year.
The Northeast led the way in construction growth, with single-family starts up 14.3% from November and 8.5% year-over-year. The South remained dominant with 617,000 single-family starts in December, though this figure was flat compared to the prior month.
Single-family permits rose 1.6% in December, signaling builders’ efforts to address the housing shortage. Total permits for 2024 fell by 2.6% year-over-year, but single-family permits increased by 6.6%, reflecting optimism for 2025.
Something I found Interesting
Retailers putting physical stores at center of omnichannel experience link
Large retailers are making physical stores the hub of their omnichannel strategy for the first time since 2008. This shift reflects a new focus on customer engagement and economic resilience through in-store experiences.
Retailers are using discounts and food and beverage options to boost foot traffic and increase dwell times, leading to higher sales. Beauty brands like Sephora have also been effective in attracting younger customers to shopping centers.
Luxury brands face challenges as market uncertainty grows, but high-performing products like cosmetics are being leveraged to draw customers. The return to offices is also benefiting apparel brands such as Brooks Brothers and Cole Haan.
Pro Member Only Content Below
Most of the insights below stem from extra research and include content from paid sources and special reports.
Demand surging for this asset, setting new records for number of occupied units
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New Build-to-rent trend
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Risks and opportunities for real estate in Trump’s second term
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This is what Wall Street thinks of US Home Prices
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Southwest city where nearly 3 in 4 homes are paid for in cash
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How Trump’s executive orders impact homebuilders
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Off Topic
Visualizing the Global Population in 2035, by Generation

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Unreal Real Estate
Would this count as a tree house?

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