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- These states lead home-price gains
These states lead home-price gains
Mapped: The Income Needed to Raise a Family by U.S. State and 12 more real estate insights
Latest Rates
Loan Type | Rate | Daily Change | Wkly Change | 52-Wk Low/High |
---|---|---|---|---|
30 Yr. Fixed | 7.12% | +0.04% | +0.05% | 6.11/7.52 |
15 Yr. Fixed | 6.52% | +0.02% | +0.04% | 5.54/6.91 |
30 Yr. FHA | 6.53% | +0.05% | +0.05% | 5.65/7.00 |
30 Yr. Jumbo | 7.37% | +0.02% | +0.02% | 6.37/7.68 |
7/6 SOFR ARM | 6.93% | -0.02% | -0.05% | 5.95/7.55 |
30 Yr. VA | 6.55% | +0.06% | +0.05% | 5.66/7.03 |
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Real Estate Trends
More than 80% of mortgages have a sub-6% rate—and these homeowners aren’t selling anytime soon link
Over 80% of mortgages in the U.S. have rates below 6%, with 21.3% below 3%. This "lock-in effect" discourages homeowners from selling, limiting inventory in a high-rate market.
Mortgage rates recently jumped to 6.93%, their highest in six months, with only 17.2% of outstanding mortgages at rates of 6% or greater. Homeowners with lower rates are staying put, stalling market movement.
A survey shows 40% of buyers would purchase if rates dropped below 6%, and 32% would if rates dropped below 5%. Lower inflation and mortgage rates could increase seller activity in 2025.
Northeast, New England states lead U.S. home-price gains link
U.S. single-family home prices increased by 3.4% year-over-year in November 2024, with a median sale price of $395,000, up $10,000 from October. On a monthly basis, prices were nearly flat.
Chicago saw the highest price appreciation among major metro areas, rising 5.8% year-over-year, followed by Miami (+5.6%) and Las Vegas (+4.9%). Six of the top cities were categorized as overvalued.
Northeastern and New England states led annual price growth, with New Jersey up 7.8%, Rhode Island up 7.3%, and New Hampshire up 6.9%. These regions outpaced other parts of the country in home-price gains.
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U.S. retail trends Q4 2024
Retail sales rose 3.8% in December, with core retail sales (excluding auto, gasoline, and foodservice) climbing 4.2%. Holiday sales in November and December exceeded expectations, growing 4.1% overall and 4.0% for core retail.
The national retail vacancy rate held steady at 4.1%, reflecting strong fundamentals despite increased retailer bankruptcies. Leasing volume for Q4 2024 reached 40.8 million square feet, a 23% year-over-year decline, but backfill demand remained robust.
Retail construction hit a multi-decade low in 2024, totaling 44.9 million square feet, constrained by high costs. Average retail rents increased by 1.6% year-over-year, reaching $34.47 per square foot, driven by limited supply and sustained demand.
What President Trump’s administration faces in the 2025 housing market
Mortgage rates are nearing 7%, making affordability a significant challenge for homebuyers. Home prices have surged 37% since 2021, pushing many out of the market.
President Trump’s proposed policies aim to address these challenges by reducing regulations and opening up federal land for development. These strategies are expected to increase housing supply over time but face scrutiny.
Housing affordability is at a record low, creating pressure on policymakers to implement effective solutions. This trend highlights the urgency of tackling supply and demand imbalances in major housing markets.
Something I found Interesting
Banning TikTok may reshape American neighborhoods link
The federal TikTok ban starting Jan. 19, 2025, will affect 170 million American users, disrupting real estate, retail, and marketing industries. Small businesses and real estate professionals will lose access to a powerful tool for customer engagement and market insights.
TikTok has democratized information through videos that simplify complex processes like homebuying and neighborhood promotion. Its absence could push consumers towards less accessible, traditional platforms, leaving digital-native audiences disconnected.
Slower homebuying cycles due to the ban may delay neighborhood growth, impacting telecommunications and retail investments. Retailers and agents will struggle to replicate the platform’s buzz-building impact, affecting the overall ecosystem of neighborhoods.
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Off Topic
Mapped: The Income Needed to Raise a Family by U.S. State

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