General Community NewsReal Estate Trends May 6, 2025

Foreclosures Rose in Q1 2025 – Is It a Warning Sign?

With everyday costs seemingly rising across the board, the state of the housing market is a natural concern. When basic living expenses rise, even critical financial responsibilities like mortgage payments start to slip, leading to increased foreclosures. Unsurprisingly, new data shows filings for foreclosures rose in Q1 2025, stirring worries about another housing crash like in 2008.

But as it turns out, there’s less cause for worry than you might think. When contextualized correctly, it’s clear these new number don’t point to a repeat of the last big housing crash.

 

The 2008 Market Versus 2025

The latest quarterly report from ATTOM shows that foreclosures did rise in Q1 2025, which is concerning at first glance. However, foreclosure filings were still lower than the normal historical average, and far below the levels seen in 2008. When plotted visually, it’s easy to see the huge difference between 2008 and 2025.

Compare the foreclosure filings in Q1 2025 to the years surrounding the 2008 crash on the graph below. Even in the years preceding and following the 2008 crash, foreclosures were dramatically higher than what we’re seeing now.

A bar graph of national quarterly foreclosure filings from 2005 to 2025 contrasting Q1 2025 from the 2008 housing market crash.

Back in 2008, lenders were approving loans using much riskier practices, saddling many homeowners with mortgages they couldn’t afford. This flooded the market with distressed properties, surplus housing inventory, and free-falling home prices that collectively caused the crash.

In the years that followed, lending standards became much stricter and stronger to prevent such a crash from happening again. Today, most homeowners are in a much better financial position, and foreclosures have stabilized as a result.

The graph may appear to show foreclosures ramping up since the lows of 2020 and 2021, but this is deceiving. Foreclosures during those years were unusually low thanks to a moratorium designed to help millions of homeowners through the pandemic. That moratorium has since ended, which has caused foreclosure filings to return to the more normal levels we see now.

Compared to pre-pandemic years like 2017-2019, foreclosures overall are actually relatively down from what’s considered normal. So while foreclosures rose in Q1 2025, this doesn’t point to a troubling surge in the market.

 

Why Foreclosures Haven’t Surged in 2025

Another reassuring difference in today’s real estate market is the power of increased homeowner equity. As home prices have exploded over these past few years, homeowners have enjoyed a welcome boost to their wealth. According to Rob Barber, CEO at ATTOM:

 

“While levels remain below historical averages, the quarterly growth suggests that some homeowners may be starting to feel the pressure of ongoing economic challenges. However, strong home equity positions in many markets continue to help buffer against a more significant spike . . .”

 

In short, if a homeowner can’t make their mortgage payments, they may be able to sell their home to avoid foreclosure. During 2008, many people owed more than their homes were worth and had no choice but to foreclose. Today, most homeowners have much stronger equity that protects them from being forced into foreclosing. As Rick Sharga, Founder and CEO of CJ Patrick Company, recently explained in a Forbes article:

 

“ . . . a significant factor contributing to today’s comparatively low levels of foreclosure activity is that homeowners—including those in foreclosure—possess an unprecedented amount of home equity.”

 

Conclusion

It’s true that foreclosures rose in Q1 2025, but they’re nowhere near the levels seen during the 2008 crash. Even as home prices continue rising, strong equity is protecting existing homeowners and bolstering their wealth. This doesn’t discount the struggles some homeowners are facing, but it’s a reassuring fact for the market at large.

If you’re a homeowner facing foreclosure, ask your mortgage provider about what options are available to you. Are you a first time buyer eager to build your equity? Contact us today for the info you need to get started.

Affiliated UpdatesGeneral Community News May 5, 2025

From Dan’s Desk: May 5, 2025

As we continue navigating a rapidly evolving real estate landscape, I wanted to take a moment each quarter to connect directly with you—our agents, staff, and leadership team—to share what I’m seeing in the market, what it means for our business, and how we can continue moving forward together.

This new quarterly message is meant to offer perspective, spark conversation, and keep us aligned on the bigger picture. Whether you’re helping clients buy and sell every day, or supporting our operations behind the scenes, we’re all part of what makes this company strong, and what makes this company continue to succeed.

Let’s take a look at where things stand today and where I believe we’re headed next.


Where Is the Residential Real Estate Market Going?

This is the major question everyone in the industry is asking. With January and February sales numbers coming in weaker than expected—per the latest NAR data—and no significant movement in interest rates, many are beginning to second-guess 2025’s ability to rebound after two consecutive years of significantly low home sales in the U.S.

While I don’t have a crystal ball, we are beginning to see encouraging signs in many local markets. Our internal data shows March’s open business was up year-over-year, and listing inventory is starting to grow. As a company, we remain bullish that the summer of 2025 could be one of the stronger selling seasons we’ve experienced in recent years.

Companies need to continue reinventing themselves.

That being said, it may be a long time before we return to the 6 million-plus annual home sales we saw during the boom years of 2020 and 2021. Companies need to continue reinventing themselves in markets like this. The real challenge lies in this: how do we provide outstanding service to consumers and best-in-class support to our agents, all while maintaining an expense structure that allows organizations to thrive?

This is the question we all need to be asking to stay ahead of market trends. Personally, I don’t believe these types of markets are to be feared—but rather embraced. They push us to innovate, to adopt new technologies, and to develop new services that will make our businesses more resilient and better equipped to serve our clients in the long run.

That’s all for now,

Dan

Dan Kruse signature.

General Community NewsReal Estate Trends April 29, 2025

Are You Waiting To Buy? This Spring May Be Your Time To Move

Between low inventory, high home prices, and unpredictable mortgage rates, 2024 was a rocky year for real estate. It should come as no surprise then that 70% of buyers stopped their home search last year. If you were one of them and are still waiting to buy in 2025, this spring could be your time.

 

The Drive of Housing Inventory

Many homeowners who put their move on pause last year are reentering the market this year. This means higher, stronger listing inventory, and with builders finishing more homes, new construction inventory is growing as well. Together, this creates more options for buyers like you, and better chances of finding the home you’ve waited for.

But that’s only part of the story. When you’re selling, you want to feel confident that you’ll find a home you’ll be thrilled to move into. At the same time, you don’t want housing inventory so high that your current house sits on the market. Fortunately, the spring 2025 market is striking a balance between supply and demand that many have waited for.

According to research from Realtor.com, housing inventory has jumped 28.5% year-over-year, making March the 17th straight month of inventory growth. This is still below pre-pandemic levels in most markets, but it’s a sweet spot for anyone waiting to buy.

A bar graph comparing the percent change of national housing inventory from 2024 to 2025 versus pre-pandemic levels demonstrating increasing inventory in 2025.

For patient buyers, this means you’ll have more options when moving, but not so many that your current house won’t sell. As long as there’s a healthy demand for homes in your area, your house should still sell relatively quickly. Especially if you work with a local agent to make sure it’s priced right and fixed up to maximize value.

 

The Sweet Spot: More Options and Steady Demand

Here’s another promising point to think about. As we said, Realtor.com‘s March 2025 data shows that housing inventory has been rising for 17 consecutive months. What’s better, industry experts agree that listing inventory is likely to continue climbing through 2025. According to Lance Lambert, the Co-Founder of ResiClub:

 

“The fact that inventory is rising year-over-year . . . strongly suggests that national active housing inventory for sale is likely to end the year higher.​”

 

If this prediction proves correct, this spring may be a better time to sell than you think. Listing now could help your house may stand out more than it would later in the year as inventory grows. With more homeowners reentering the market, waiting too long could make it all the more difficult to stand out.

 

 

Conclusion

If you’re one of the many who have been waiting to buy a house this past year, here’s your chance. Housing supply is growing but hasn’t caught up to demand yet, meaning new listings are still getting extra buyer attention. Meanwhile, increasing inventory is giving current homeowners more opportunities to scale up, further driving supply and activating buyers.

For both first time buyers and homeowners waiting to sell, this spring’s market is trending toward an ideal sweet spot. If you have questions keeping you from making your move, reach out to us for answers today. We can get you the info you need, or connect you with an agent to navigate your unique local market.

General Community NewsReal Estate Trends April 23, 2025

Here’s the Next Best Time To Sell Your Home This Spring

Back in March, Realtor.com reported that the best time to list your house in 2025 was April 13–19. With that week now behind us, you may be wondering if you missed your chance this year. Fortunately, you still have plenty of time, if another source’s prediction holds true this spring.

Realtor.com may be one of the biggest property search sites, but others have their own data, studies, and methodologies. This means that they sometimes receive different results and reach different conclusions. This means that they sometimes receive different results and reach different conclusions, which may be good news for you. Because according to Zillow, the ideal spring house selling window hasn’t passed yet.

 

Reports on the Best Spring Selling Period

New research from Zillow has found that sellers who list their homes in late May tend to see higher sale prices. Based on home sales from 2024, homes listed in May had the highest sale premium of about $5,600. According to Zillow‘s study:

 

“Search activity typically peaks before Memorial Day, as shoppers get serious about house hunting before their summer vacation and the new school year in the fall. By targeting late spring, sellers can get their home listed when the most shoppers are looking. When more buyers are competing for homes, sellers can command a higher price.

 

But Zillow isn’t the only one declaring May as the best time for home sellers to list. Using data from 59 million home sales over the past 13 years, ATTOM Data completed a similar study. In this case, it was found that sellers who list in May net an 11.1% higher closing price on average.

 

Freshly compiled sales statistics from ATTOM demonstrate that home sellers continue to reap significant benefits from listing their properties during the month of May. Examination of home sales trends spanning thirteen years reveals that, on average, sellers are commanding 11.1 percent premium above the estimated market value.”

 

Meanwhile, a report from Bankrate states that listing at any time in April or May is ideal. In fact, it found that homes listed in May on average sell for about 13.1% above market value:

 

“Some patterns and trends usually do hold true throughout the year, and one is that spring continues to be the best time to sell. Sellers can net thousands of dollars more if they sell during the peak months of April and May. . .”

 

If these reports are accurate, then there’s still time to list during peak home selling season. Closing your home sale in May could get you a sizable increase in your final sale price.

Of course, the best week to list your house ultimately depends on your own local real estate market. Prices are driven by buyer demand and home supply, and these can vary wildly from market to market. This is why working with an experienced local agent can be so helpful, especially in uncertain markets.

 

Conclusion

Even though Realtor.com‘s recommended spring selling window has passed, other sources say there’s still plenty of time this year. Spring is always a busy time in real estate, and you can take advantage without listing during a specific week.

The true best time to sell your house will be determined by your own unique local market this spring. Working with an agent can help remove some of the guesswork, and get you the best closing price possible.

General Community NewsReal Estate Trends April 18, 2025

Many Fear a Housing Market Crash in 2025 – Will It Happen?

Between every economic uncertainty underpinning this year so far, Americans are understandably trepid about the future. Amid market lows and rising prices, many are asking if we’re heading for a housing market crash in 2025.

If talk of tariffs and mercurial markets are giving you pause about your plans, you’re not alone. In fact, new data from Clever Real Estate has found that 70% of Americans are worried about a housing crash in 2025. But how likely is this, and what does the latest data say?

 

Low Inventory Prevents a Crash in Prices

Before you put your plans to buy or a sell a home on hold, let’s look at the facts. The reality is that the trends in the housing market we’re seeing aren’t signs of crashing, only of shifting. As Chief Economist at First American Mark Fleming explains:

 

“There’s just generally not enough supply. There are more people than housing inventory. It’s Econ 101.”

 

Consider the basic laws of supply and demand. If the supply of something is low, its prices are bound to go up, and homes are no exception. And even though housing inventory is up in 2025, high demand from buyers is still driving home prices higher.

According to recent data from Realtor.com, the number of homes for sale in 2025 is climbing, but still below normal levels. Even still, home supply is at its highest since pre-pandemic levels, showing a positive trend in the right direction.

A line graph showing active monthly listings on the market from the year 2017 to 2025 and demonstrating the positive home supply of 2025.

 

That ongoing low supply is what’s stopping home prices from dropping at the national level. As Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), says:

 

“… if there’s a shortage, prices simply cannot crash.”

 

Home Prices Normalize as Inventory Increases

As more homes are listed on the market, upward pressure on home price growth normalizes. Prices may not be falling, but they’re rising at a rate closer to what we’d consider normal for the market.

Even though prices aren’t declining nationally, increased inventory means they’re rising more slowly than they were. The trend we’re currently seeing is what’s considered price moderation.

A bar graph showing the year over year monthly average home price change from January 2024 to January 2025.

The good news for buyers is that this price moderation is expected to continue throughout the rest of the year, according to a January report from Freddie Mac:

 

“In 2025, we expect the pace of house price appreciation to moderate from the levels seen in 2024, while still maintaining a positive trajectory.

 

This means that home prices will continue rising in most markets, but not as quickly as they did in 2024. This is great news for anyone who’s been priced out of the market thanks to rapid price appreciation these past few years.

These numbers represent national trends, so the true story will vary in individual markets. A local real estate agent can give you the latest details on the market trends in your your own unique area.

 

Conclusion

Fears of a housing market crash in 2025 abound, but don’t let this worry you. While a little caution is healthy, experts are confident that a housing market crash is unlikely in 2025. As a recent report from Business Insider says:

 

. . . economists who study housing market conditions generally do not expect a crash in 2025 or beyond unless the economic outlook changes.”

 

In reality, this year’s housing market is stabilizing thanks to decreasing price growth and increasing home supply. If you’re curious about the market trends in your local area, contact us today to connect with an agent who can reassure you with the facts.

General Community NewsReal Estate Trends April 9, 2025

Selling Your Home? Avoid This Mistake When Setting Your Asking Price

When selling your house, the typical goal is to sell quickly at the best price possible. Naturally, ever since home prices took off around 5 years ago, most sellers have been aiming high. But housing inventory is making a comeback, and some sellers haven’t considered what this shift means for their asking price. As a result, buyers are becoming choosier, and price cuts on overpriced listings are increasing alongside home supply.

According to February 2025 data from Realtor.com, home price cuts this February reached their highest number since 2019. That’s the highest number of price cuts in 6 years, and a real return to pre-pandemic market levels.

 

A blue bar graph showing the national number of home price cuts from February 2017 to February 2025 demonstrating the need for sellers to consider their asking price before listing.

 

Given that 2019 is considered the housing market’s last normal year, this demonstrates a major, substantial shift. The market is finally starting to normalize, and may quickly break out of the post-pandemic slump it’s been stuck in.

However, this is a distinctly different trend from the hot seller’s market of 2021 and should be treated differently. You may not sell your house for top dollar like you would have at the pandemic’s peak, but that’s okay. By setting a smart asking price and tempering your expectations, you can still sell quickly, and at a great price.

You may be planning to price your listing high and cut it later if necessary, but this has its drawbacks. Pricing too high and lowering later means you may actually end up with lower offers in the end. Pricing right the first time is the best way to avoid this, and a local agent can make the difference.

 

How a Local Agent Can Find Your Perfect Asking Price

A true expert real estate agent doesn’t set an asking price without good reason. These agents consider real data and trends unique to your market, setting a price specific to your home. This way, you set a realistic price based on your home’s true value to attract as many buyers as possible.

Depending on your local market and your agent’s analysis, they may even recommend strategically pricing slightly below market value. While this may sound counterintuitive, it can be a strategic move to attract more attention to your listing, earning you more competitive offers. Here are a few ways a local agent will determine the best price for your listing:

  • Researching recent home sales. What price did homes similar to yours finally sell for? Were these homes initially listed higher before dropping in price to sell?
  • Analyzing local market trends. The true value of your home isn’t based on the price you’d like to sell it at. It’s the price that potential buyers are willing to pay. A local agent will have a strong idea of this number based on experience.
  • Strategizing to sell. A great agent will price your home to attract attention, creating a sense of urgency among buyers and increasing demand.

 

How Overpricing Your Home Can Backfire

Unfortunately, some sellers still ignore their agent’s advice and prefer to start high just to see what happens. The hope being maybe they get their full asking price, or they at least have more wiggle room for negotiation. But pricing high usually ends up costing you, and here’s why:

  • Buyers may ignore it. The market’s past few years – and the direction it’s headed – have made buyers more budget-conscious than ever. If a home listing looks overpriced, buyers are more likely to ignore it and move on than consider negotiating.
  • It could stay on the market too long. The longer your home sits on the market without selling, the more buyers will assume something is wrong with it. This can make it harder and harder to sell as time goes on, and makes a price cut almost inevitable.
  • You may sell for less in the end. Price cuts often lower a listing’s final selling price below its best, most realistic market value. Listing at the right price to begin with gives sellers the best chance of selling quickly at a great price.

The graph below demonstrates how these factors play out in the market. Using data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), it shows how time on the market lowers final selling price.

 

A blue graph plotting the median selling price of homes over time as a percentage of the original asking price.

 

According to the data, if a house sells within its first 4 weeks after listing, it usually sells for full price. Homes that are priced at or just below current market value typically sell quickly in this same window. When a home is priced right, it attracts truly interested buyers who are willing to buy at your asking price. In a hot market, buyers may even compete with other buyers, or even make an offer above your listing price.

On the other hand, a home that’s overpriced will take longer to sell, if it sells at all. As the graph demonstrates, after that first 4 weeks on the market, final selling price starts to drop. And as buyer interest declines over time, the more likely a seller will accept a low offer, or cut their price.

 

Conclusion

The housing market is normalizing thanks to increasing housing inventory, causing price cuts to rise with increasing buyer power. For sellers, setting the right asking price is more important than ever, and overpricing could make your listing sit on the market. Advice from a local agent can help you avoid this mistake and sell quickly without having to lower your price.

Interested in selling but need help pricing your home for your local market? Get in touch with us today. We can connect you with a local agent who can sell your home at the best price possible.

Real Estate Trends April 1, 2025

Get Ready: The Best Time to List Your House This Year Is Coming Soon

If you’re waiting for the best time to list your house this year, then wait no longer. Experts have looked at the data, and the best week to list your house in 2025 is almost here.

A recent study from Realtor.com analyzed years of housing market trends and found that April 13–19 is expected to be the best week this year to list your house:

 

. . . we’ve identified April 13-19 as the best week to list for sellers . . . a seller listing a well-priced, move-in ready home is likely to find success. Because spring is generally the high season for real estate activity and buyers are more plentiful earlier rather than later in the year, listing earlier in the spring raises a seller’s odds of a successful sale.”

 

Why Is This the Best Time?

Spring is typically a strong season for sellers and when the housing starts to really take off every year. But according to Realtor.com, this window could be particularly advantageous in 2025 thanks to a few key factors. Here are the biggest influences that make April 13-19 the ideal week for new listings:

  1. More potential buyers are looking at your home since demand is usually highest in the spring and summer every year.
  2. A faster, easier sale since many serious, committed buyers are eager to move before summer.
  3. Higher chances of getting the best offer. According to Realtor.com, you could get $4,800 more on average this week, and $27,000 more than earlier in the year.

 

Want Your House Listed at the Best Time? Start Now

Only a couple weeks are left before the year’s prime listing week, but you can still make the deadline. If you’ve been planning to list for a while, a smart plan and quick action can make it happen.  This is where working with a great local real estate agent can make all the difference between selling and not. An expert agent can help you:

  • Figure out exactly what you need to do to get your home ready to list and, eventually, sold.
  • Prioritize the tasks to make the biggest impact on your listing and chances of selling in the shortest time.
  • Identify any quick fixes or easy upgrades to help you attract as many potential buyers as possible.

If your house is already in good repair and condition, your focus should be on quick, value-adding updates. The idea is to eliminate any potential dealbreakers for interested buyers, as Investopedia says:

 

“You won’t have time for any major renovations, so focus on quick repairs to address things that could deter potential buyers.”

 

With the April 13-19 window fast approaching, the quicker you can finish these projects, the better. Here are some small projects recommended by Redfin you can do that can make a big difference to interested buyers:

 

An infographic titled Things You May Want To Tackle Before You Sell which features four small projects to complete before the best time to list your house.

 

What if You’re Not Ready to List?

If you don’t think you’ll be ready to list before this windows passes, then don’t worry. Even though Realtor.com expects April 13–19 to be the best time to list, it’s not the only good time to sell. What’s most important is getting your home ready to maximize its attractiveness to buyers when you do decide to list. Even if you list a bit late, there’s still plenty of opportunity before prime homebuying season is over.

 

Conclusion

If you’ve been waiting for just the right moment to sell, April 13-19 could be the perfect time. Realtor.com projects this as the best time to list your house this year, but there’s a bit more to consider. Making sure your home is fully prepped and priced competitively for your local market can make the difference.

Ready to list but need a real estate agent’s advice and expertise first? Reach out today and we’ll connect you with a local expert who can help you list and sell your home fast.

Real Estate Trends March 26, 2025

The Spring 2025 Housing Market: 4 Things To Expect

Spring is in full swing, and the spring 2025 housing market is swinging along with it. Wondering whether now is the right time to finally buy a house or sell your home? Here are four trends you can expect in the market this year, and what they mean for you.

 

1. More Homes on the Market

After years of housing shortages nationwide, the number of homes for sale is finally improving. According to recent national data from Realtor.com, active home listings are up 27.5% compared to this time last year. Housing inventory took a tremendous dive in 2020, but at long last, it’s close to reaching pre-pandemic levels this spring.

The graph below shows monthly active listing count for each year dating back to 2017. As you can see, even though inventory levels still haven’t quite returned to pre-pandemic norms, they’ve improved over last year. In fact, they’re almost at 2020 levels, and will likely exceed them this summer if their upward trend continues.

 

A blue line graph comparing monthly housing inventory from the years 2017 to 2025 highlighting increases in the spring 2025 housing market.

 

For Buyers: More housing inventory means you have more options and choices. Having options means you can be more selective, and that sellers may be more willing to negotiate with you.

For Sellers: With more homes available, you’re more likely to find the right house to move into. With inventory still below normal levels, your current home will stay in higher demand, at least until home supply normalizes.

 

2. Home Price Growth Is Slowing

As inventory increases, the rate of home price growth is slowing down as prices respond to buyer demand. This will continue through the spring 2025 housing market and beyond into 2026 if the current trend holds steady. With more homes for sale, eager buyers are less pressured to compete for limited inventory. Price growth will continue to slow as supply rises and buyers enjoy more options, but it will generally remain positive. A recent projection from Freddie Mac says:

“In 2025, we expect the pace of house price appreciation to moderate from the levels seen in 2024, while still maintaining a positive trajectory.”

Every housing market is different, so while home prices are rising nationally, this may not be true everywhere. Some markets are actually seeing stronger price growth, while others are slowing or even seeing home prices decline.

For Buyers: Slower home price growth means prices aren’t rising as quickly as before. Still, any home you buy now is likely to appreciate in value over time, helping you build equity.

For Sellers: Home prices are still rising, but you may need to temper your expectations in terms of pricing your home. Pricing too high in a more competitive market could mean your house takes longer to sell. Listing at a price point competitive with your local market is going to become a key factor as prices normalize.

 

3. Mortgage Rates Are Falling and Stabilizing

One of the biggest obstacles for buyers – especially new ones – since the pandemic has been higher, less predictable mortgage rates. Fortunately, rates have been slowly stabilizing so far in Q1 of 2025, and have even dropped faster than experts anticipated. These aren’t the 3% rates of 2020, but less volatile rates give buyers more reason to buy with confidence. As Chief Economist at CoreLogic Selma Hepp says:

“With the spring homebuying season upon us, the recent improvements in mortgage rates may help invite homebuyers back into the market.”

For Buyers: When mortgage rates are stable, planning ahead is easier because your future payments are likely to be more predictable. But keep in mind that even though mortgage rates are stabilizing, they’re still far from being completely static. When buying, consult your agent and lender to stay current with rates and how they might affect your plans.

For Sellers: Lower rates starting to stabilize means more buyers are becoming active – especially those who have been patiently waiting. This means increases in housing demand and more potential interested buyers for your house.

 

4. More Buyers Are Entering the Market

With more inventory, slowing price growth, and stabilizing mortgage rates, buyers are gaining confidence and finally reentering the market. Demand is increasing, and recent data from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) shows an uptick in mortgage applications compared to the start of the year.

 

A blue line graph showing the weekly number of mortgage applications from January 2025 to March 2025 and demonstrating the increasing number of buyers in the spring 2025 housing market.

 

For Buyers: The spring 2025 housing market buying season is quickly heating up. Making your move now and getting a leg up on your competition could be a wise strategy this spring.

For Sellers: Eager buyers wanting to buy a home in the spring or summer are entering the market quickly. Naturally, this is great news for you: more buyers means a better chance of selling your home fast.

 

Conclusion

Between more homes for sale, slowing price growth, and stabilizing mortgage rates, there’s plenty reason to be positive this spring. Buyers can expect higher housing inventory at more reasonable rates, while sellers can count on a busier market with more activated homebuyers. If you’re wondering how this spring’s trends might affect you, contact us today to get started with an expert agent in your area.

Real Estate Trends March 18, 2025

Spring Home Inventory Hits Highest Level in Five Years

The spring 2025 housing market is shaping up to be a great time for buyers. Home inventory has risen to the highest level in five years, which puts more pressure on sellers to negotiate. This grants buyers more power and more options to get the home they really want at a fairer price. Here are just a couple promising things that more houses on the market could mean for you as a buyer.

 

1. More Homes on the Market To Choose From

The number of homes for sale in February this year was higher than it’s been in five years, dating back to February 2020. This is the strongest home supply seen since the COVID-19 pandemic, and it’s great news for any hopeful homebuyer. The following graph shows new data from Realtor.com illustrating a significant 27.5% increase in home inventory since last year.

 

A blue bar graph comparing February 2025 home inventory to previous years dating back to 2017.

 

While inventory hasn’t returned to pre-2020 levels yet, experts say that inventory is expected to continue rising this year. More houses available means more choices, more options, and more chances to find the house you want. And according to Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com, more inventory will bring other welcome changes to the market.

“Buyers will not only have more home options . . . but they are also likely to find somewhat lower asking prices and more time to make decisions – all buyer-friendly factors as we inch closer to the busy homebuying season.”

 

2. Sellers Are More Likely To Accept Price Cuts

When buyers have more options, some homes tend to stay on the market for longer than they otherwise would. This is especially true of homes that are initially priced too high and out of some buyers’ ideal range. When this happens, sellers are forced to drop prices to keep their listing competitive with other houses on the market. And combined with falling mortgage rates, it means a more normalized market and better deals for buyers.

Based on data from Realtor.com, the number of listings with price reductions has increased over the last few years. In fact, price reductions have even risen above the levels seen in 2020, as the graph below illustrates.

 

A blue bar graph comparing February 2025 home listing price cuts to previous years dating back to 2017.

 

Price reductions are a great sign that sellers are more willing to negotiate and compromise today. Compared to the market’s more normal years of 2017–2019, today’s number of price cuts is much closer to what’s typical. For most buyers, this is a welcome relief, and a promising sign of where the market is headed.

For you, this could mean fewer compromises and a better chance to negotiate on price, closing costs, or even repairs. Not every seller is willing to adjust their price, but a higher home inventory means many more will. Either way, healthier inventory levels mean you have more leverage in the market than buyers have had in years.

 

Conclusion

If you’ve been watching the market and waiting for the right moment to buy, this spring could be the perfect time. Home supply is up, mortgage rates are down, and more sellers are cutting prices to attract eager buyers. Best of all, these trends are expected to continue into the spring, making for a stronger, healthier market for everyone.

For help navigating your unique local housing market, consider connecting with an expert real estate agent. They can talk to you about what’s happening in your area and get you started on your home search. Reach out today and we’ll connect you with a local expert who can find the home you’re looking for.

General Community NewsReal Estate Trends March 14, 2025

What’s Your Real Home Value in the 2025 Market?

If you’ve checked home prices in the past few years, you know too well that they’re always rising. But if you’re a current homeowner, have you considered what this might mean for your own home value? It may be that your home is worth far more than you think in 2025.

While rising prices are expected, the home value increases of the post-Pandemic housing market have been dramatic. And if you’re a seller waiting to list, this could mean a huge payoff when you finally close. If you’re eager to know much your own house could sell for, finding out is easier than you think.

 

The Post-Pandemic Home Value Launch

Home prices typically rise around 2-5% per year, but in 2021-2022 that number rose to double-digit levels. In the spring of 2022, year-over-year percentage growth finally peaked at over 20% nationally. The sheer number of buyers in the market during this time sent home prices soaring as housing supply lagged. And though price growth has settled since then, the home value accrued by homeowners in that time remains.

The lingering effects of that volatile period have caused difficulties for buyers, but they’ve also produced great opportunities for sellers. There’s a good chance your house has gained tremendous value since then, and that means more wealth for you.

The map below references data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to illustrate that home prices have risen by nearly 60% in just the past 5 years alone nationally. The most extreme increases have taken place in states marked with a darker blue, like Maine, New Hampshire, and Florida.

 

A blue map of the United States showing the percent change in home prices over five years by state as of Q4 2024.

 

If worries about today’s rates and prices have stopped you from selling your home, let these numbers reassure you. Your home’s risen value may be exactly what you need to close the affordability gap and purchase your next house.

Even better, if you’ve owned your home for 10 years or more, your value is likely even higher. You can stack the incredible gains of the past five years on top of five years of healthy appreciation too. And an agent can help you figure out what that really looks like.

 

How To Find Out What Your House Is Really Worth

Percentages will help you ballpark an estimate, but you need specific numbers to make real, actionable decisions. To help, you can get a free home valuation estimate from us right now using the tool below. You can even sign up for a full valuation report.

 

Home valuations can be great tools, but only a local real estate agent can give you the best, most accurate look at your house’s real market value. An agent will know the state of your local housing market and the factors driving it. They can provide insights about current housing inventory, pricing of comparable homes, and unique contributors to value like renovations.

By knowing what’s happening where you live, an agent can stack their market knowledge against the unique condition and features of your home and give you an accurate estimate of your home’s current value in your area.

 

Conclusion

Home values have taken off in just the past few years, and that’s great news for current homeowners. Knowing what your house is worth in today’s real estate market will help you plan your next move. A local agent can give you a great idea of how much your home might realistically sell for.

If you’re a homeowner considering a move, get your free home valuation from us at Century 21 Affiliated now. Ready to sell? Reach out now and we’ll connect you with a local expert real estate agent who can get your house sold.