From rising home prices to mortgage rate swings, the housing market has left many people wondering what’s next – and whether now is the right time to move. There is one place you can turn to for the answers you want the most. And that’s the experts.

Leading housing experts are starting to release their projections for the rest of the year. These insights will give you clarity – and a little more optimism than you might expect. Business Insider sums up the forecasts (and why they’re good news for you):

“As mortgage rates go down this year, affordability may improve slightly for homebuyers. Inventory is also expected to grow, which should help moderate price growth and make finding a home easier.”

Let’s break it down.

1. Mortgage Rates Should Come Down (Slightly)

While a significant drop isn’t on the table, forecasters are calling for a modest rate decline in the months ahead as the economic outlook becomes more certain. Based on the information we have right now, here’s a look at where they say rates should be by year-end (see graph below):

Even this slight decrease is a welcome change. A small decline can still help bring down your future mortgage payment and give you more breathing room in your budget.

Remember, everything from inflation to employment and broader economic shifts will impact where rates go from here. So, don’t try to time the market. And do expect some volatility along the way.

2. Inventory Will Continue To Grow

Inventory has already improved a lot this year. A significant portion of the growth the market has already seen is because homeowners are tired of sitting on the sidelines. They’ve tried the wait-and-see approach with rates, which hasn’t paid off. And at a certain point, you need to move no matter what the market is doing. This is one reason more homes have been listed lately. And experts say that should continue. As Lance Lambert, Co-founder of ResiClub, says:

“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 rate forecasts pan out as the experts say, that could be enough to tip some more sellers off the fence and back into the market, giving you even more options for your move.

3. Home Prices Are Moderating

As more homes hit the market, there will also be less upward pressure on home prices. Expert forecasts are still calling for growth, but the pace of that growth is slowing down as inventory climbs. The average of all 7sevenforecasts shows prices will rise about 2% this year (see graph below):

That means you could finally get some relief from rapidly rising home prices. Combining the forecast for healthier price growth with projections for slightly lower mortgage rates could mean more buying power in the months ahead.

Keep in mind, though, the housing market is hyper-local. So, this is going to vary by area. Some markets will see prices climbing higher. And some may even see prices dip a little if inventory is up significantly in that location. So, lean on a local agent for insights into what’s happening in your area.

Bottom Line

So, if you want or need to move this year, know that the experts say things should start looking up. Let’s connect to take advantage of any market shifts that work in your favor.

The stock market has been bouncing around more than usual with all the economic uncertainty. And if you’ve been watching your 401(k) or investments lately, you’ve probably felt that pit in your stomach. One day it’s up. The next day, it’s not. And that may make you feel a little worried about your finances.

But here’s what you need to remember if you’re a homeowner. According to Investopedia:

“Traditionally, stocks have been far more volatile than real estate. That’s not to say that real estate prices aren’t ever volatile—the years around the 2007 to 2008 financial crisis are just one memorable example—but stocks are more prone to large value swings.”

While your stocks or 401(k) might see a lot of highs and lows, home values are much less volatile.

A Drop in the Stock Market Doesn’t Mean a Crash in Home Prices

Take a look at the graph below. It shows what happened to home prices (the blue bars) during past stock market swings (the orange bars):

Home prices don’t always come down even when the stock market falls more substantially.

Big home price drops like those in 2008 are the exception, not the rule. But everyone remembers that one. That stock market crash was caused by loose lending practices, subprime mortgages, and an oversupply of homes – a scenario that doesn’t exist today. That’s what made it so different.

In many cases, home values went up before and after that time while the stock market went down, showing that real estate is generally much more stable.

This graph shows how stock prices go up and down (the orange line), sometimes by more than 30% in a year. In contrast, home prices (the blue line) change more slowly (see graph below):

Stock values jump around a lot more than home prices do. You can be way up one day and way down the next. On the other hand, real estate isn’t usually something that experiences such dramatic swings.

That’s why real estate can feel more stable and less risky than the stock market.

So, if you’re worried after your stock portfolio’s recent ups and downs, rest assured, your home isn’t likely to experience the same volatility.

And that’s why homeownership is generally viewed as a preferred long-term investment. Even if things feel uncertain, homeowners win in the long run.

Bottom Line

A lot of people are feeling nervous about their finances right now. But there’s one reason for you to feel more secure – your investment in something that’s stood the test of time: real estate.

Saving up to buy a home can feel intimidating, especially now. And for many first-time buyers, the idea that you have to put 20% down can feel like a significant roadblock.

But that’s a common misconception. Here’s thHere’sh.

Do You Have to Put 20% Down When You Buy a Home?

You won’t have to unless your specific loan type or lender requires it. There are loan options designed to help first-time buyers like you get in the door with a much smaller down payment.

For example, FHA loans offer down payments as low as 3.5%, while VA and USDA loans have no down payment requirements for qualified applicants, like Veterans. So, while putting down more money does have its benefits, it’s not essential. As The Mortgage Reports says:

“. . . many homebuyers are able to secure a home with as little as 3% or even no down payment at all . . . the 20 percent down rule is really a myth.”

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the median down payment is a lot lower for first-time homebuyers at just 9% (see chart below):

The takeaway? You may not need to save as much as you initially thought.  

The best part is that there are also a lot of programs out there designed to boost your down payment savings. And chances are, you’re aware they’re aware they’re aware.

Why You Should Look into Down Payment Assistance Programs

Believe it or not, almost 80% of first-time homebuyers qualify for down payment assistance (DPA), but only 13% use it (see chart below):

That’s an opportunity. These programs aren’t a smaren’a tale help, either. Some offer thousands of dollars that can go directly toward your down payment. As Rob Chrane, Founder and CEO of Down Payment Resource, shares:

“Our data shows the average DPA benefit is roughly $17,000. That can be a nice jump-start for saving for a down payment and other costs of homeownership.”

Imagine how much further your homebuying savings would go if you qualify for $17,000 worth of help. In some cases, you may even be able to stack multiple programs at once, giving you an extra lift. These are the types of benefits you don’t want to leave the table.

Bottom Line

Saving up for your first home can feel like a lot, especially if you’re considering putting 20% down. The truth is that many loan options require much less, and even programs are designed to boost your savings, too.

Talk to a trusted lender to learn more about what’s available and if you’d qualify for any down payment assistance programs.

Talk about the economy is all over the news, and the odds of a recession are rising this year. That’s leaving many people wondering what it means for the value of their home – and their buying power.

Let’s take a look at some historical data to show what’s happened in the housing market during each recession, going back to the 1980s. The facts may surprise you.

A Recession Doesn’t Mean Home Prices Will Fall

Many people think that if a recession hits, home prices will fall like they did in 2008. But that was an exception, not the rule. It was the only time the market saw such a steep drop in prices. And it hasn’t happened since, mainly because inventory is still so low overall. Even in markets where the number of homes for sale has started to rise this year, inventory is still far below the oversupply of homes that led up to the housing crash.

In fact, according to data from Cotality (formerly CoreLogic), in four of the last six recessions, home prices went up (see graph below)

So, don’t assume a recession will lead to a significant drop in home values. The data doesn’t support that idea. Instead, home prices usually follow whatever trajectory they’re already on. And right now, nationally, home prices are still rising, just at a more normal pace.

Mortgage Rates Typically Decline During Recessions

While home prices tend to stay on their current path, mortgage rates usually drop during economic slowdowns. Again, looking at data from the last six recessions, mortgage rates fell each time (see graph below):

So, a recession means rates could decline. And while that would help with your buying power, don’t expect the return of a 3% rate.

Bottom Line

The answer to the recession question is still unknown, but the odds have gone up. However, that doesn’t mean you have to worry about what it means for the housing market – or the value of your home. Historical data tells us what usually happens.

If you’re wondering how the current economy is impacting our local market, let’s connect.

For a long time, the housing market was all sunshine for sellers. Homes were flying off the shelves, and buyers had to compete like crazy. But lately, things are starting to shift. Some areas are still super competitive for buyers, while others are seeing more homes sit on the market, giving buyers a bit more breathing room.

In other words, it’s a tale of two markets, and knowing which one you’re in makes a huge difference when you move.

What Is a Buyer’s Market vs. a Seller’s Market?

In a buyer’s market, there are many homes for sale, and fewer people are buying. With fewer buyers competing for these homes, they generally sit on the market longer. They might not sell for as much as they would in a seller’s market, and buyers have more room to negotiate.

On the other hand, in a seller’s market, there aren’t enough homes for sale to meet the number of buyers trying to purchase them. Homes sell faster, sellers often receive multiple offers, and prices rise because buyers are willing to pay more to win the house.

The Market Is Starting To Balance Out

For years, almost every market in the country was a strong seller’s market. That made it tough for buyers, especially first-timers. But now, things are shifting. According to Zillow, the national housing market is balancing out (see graph below):

The index used in this graph measures whether the national housing market is more of a seller’s market, a buyer’s market, or a neutral market, whether it favors buyers, sellers, or neither. Each month, the market is measured on a scale of 0 to 100. The closer to 100, the bigger the advantage sellers have.

The orange bars in the middle of the graph show the years when sellers had their most substantial advantage, from 2020 to early 2022. However, as time has passed, the market has become more balanced. It shifted from a strong seller’s market to a less intense one. And lately, it’s been neutral more than anything else (that’s the gray bars on the right side of the graph). That means buyers are gaining some negotiating power again.

In a more balanced or neutral market, homes tend to stay on the market for a little longer, bidding wars are less common, and sellers may need to make more concessions, such as price reductions or helping with closing costs. That shift gives today’s buyers more opportunities and less competition than a couple of years ago.

Why Are Things Changing?

Inventory plays a significant role. When there are more homes for sale, buyers have more options – and that cools down home price growth. As data from Realtor.com shows, the supply of available homes for sale isn’t growing at the same rate everywhere (see graph below):

This graph shows how inventory has changed compared to last year (blue bars) and compared to 2017–2019 (red bars) in different regions of the country.

The South and West regions of the U.S. have seen significant increases in housing inventory over the past year (that’s the blue on the right). Both are almost back to pre-pandemic levels. That’s why more buyer’s markets are popping up there.

But in the Northeast and Midwest, inventory is still very low compared to pre-pandemic (that’s why those red bars are so big). That means those areas are more likely to stay seller’s markets for now.

What This Means for You

Every local market is different. Even if the national headlines say one thing, your town (or even your neighborhood) could be telling a different story.

Knowing which type of market you’re in helps you make smarter decisions for your move. That’s why working with a local real estate agent is so important right now.

As Zillow says:

“Agents are experts on their local markets and can craft buying or selling strategies tailored to local market conditions.”

Agents understand the unique trends in your area and can help you make the best choices, whether you’re buying or selling. With their expert strategies, you can move no matter which way the market is leaning, because they know how to navigate various levels of buyer competition, how to find hidden gems locally, how to price a house right, how to negotiate based on who has more leverage, and more.

Bottom Line

If you’re ready to make a move, or even just thinking about it, let’s connect. That way, you’ll have someone to help you understand our local market and create a game plan that works for you.

What’s one thing you’re curious about when it comes to the market in our area?

When it feels like the cost of just about everything is rising, it’s only natural to wonder what that means for the housing market. Some people are even questioning whether more homeowners will struggle to make their mortgage payments, which could ultimately lead to a wave of foreclosures. Recent data showing that foreclosure filings have increased only feeds into this fear. But don’t let that scare you.

If you put the latest data into context, it’s clear there’s no reason to think this is a repeat of the last housing crash.

This Isn’t Like 2008

While it’s true that foreclosure filings increased in the latest quarterly report from ATTOM, they are still lower than the norm and far below the levels seen during the crash. And it’s a lot easier to know if you graph that out.

If you compare Q1 2025 (on the right side of the graph) to what happened in the years surrounding the 2008 crash (shown in red), it’s clear the market is in a completely different place (see graph below):

Back then, risky lending practices left homeowners with mortgages they couldn’t afford. That led to a wave of foreclosures, which flooded the market with distressed ppropertiesand caused,a surplus of inventory, resulting in a ddramatic drop inhome pprices

Today, lending standards are much stronger, and most homeowners are in a much better financial position. That’s why filings are so much lower this time.

And just in case you’re looking at 2020 and 2021 and thinking we’ve ramped up since then, here’s what you need to know. During those years, a moratorium was implemented to help millions of homeowners avoid foreclosure in challenging times. That’s why the numbers were so incredibly low just a few years ago.

So don’t compare today to that low point. If you look at more normal years, like 2017-2019, overall foreclosure filings are down from what’s typical and significantly down from the volume during the crash.

Of course, no one wants to go through the foreclosure process. The recent increase is emotional because real lives are impacted – let’s not discount that. It’s just that, as a whole, this isn’t a signal of trouble in the market.

Why We Haven’t Seen a Big Surge in Foreclosures

And here’s something else to reassure you: homeowner equity. Over the past few years, home prices have risen significantly. That means today’s homeowners have built up a solid financial cushion. As Rob Barber, CEO at ATTOM, explains:

“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 . . .”

If someone falls on hard times and can’t make their mortgage payments, they may be able to sell their home instead of going into foreclosure. That’s a huge contrast to 2008, when many people owed more than their homes were worth and had no choice but to walk away from them.

Don’t discount the firm equity footing most homeowners have today. As Rick Sharga, Founder and CEO of CJ Patrick Company, explains in a recent 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.”

Bottom Line

Even with the recent increase, foreclosure numbers are not at the levels seen during the 2008 crash. Plus, most homeowners today are in a much stronger equity position, even with rising costs.

If you’re a homeowner facing hardship, talk to your mortgage provider to explore your options.

It’s not really a surprise that 70% of buyers paused their home search last year. Maybe you were one of them. And if so, no judgment. Conditions just weren’t great.

Inventory was too low, prices were too high, and mortgage rates were bouncing all over. That made it really hard to find a home you loved – and could afford. And why sell if you’re not sure where you’re going to go?

But here’s the thing: the market’s shifting. And it might be time to hit play again.

The Inventory Sweet Spot

More homeowners are jumping back into their search to make a move this year. Builders are finishing more homes. And together, that’s creating more options for you when you move – maybe even the home you’ve been waiting for.

More homes = more possibilities.

But there’s more to it than that. When you sell, you don’t want to feel like it’s impossible to find your next home. At the same time, you also don’t want inventory to be so high, it takes ages for your house to sell. Right now, you’ll get the best of both worlds.

This data will help paint the picture for you. According to Realtor.com, inventory has jumped 28.5% since this time last year, but it’s still below pre-pandemic levels in most markets – and here’s why this is such a sweet spot (see graph below):

Basically, there are more homes to choose from when you make your move, but not so many that you’ll struggle to sell your current house. Your home should sell quickly if you work with an agent to make sure it’s priced right and prepped to impress.

More options. Less chaos. Solid demand: That’s the real sweet spot.

But here’s something else to consider. Data from Realtor.com also shows inventory has been on the rise for 17 straight months. And experts agree it’s likely to continue climbing throughout the year. As Lance Lambert, Co-Founder of ResiClub explains:

“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.​”

So, this may actually be the best time to sell. Your house may stand out more now than it would as the year goes on and inventory grows even more. Wait too long, and you may be one of many trying to stand out later this year.

Bottom Line

If you’ve been waiting for the housing market to give you a sign – it just did. Whether you’re looking to move up, scale down, or relocate completely, this might be the best balance we’ve seen in a while.

What’s holding you back from taking advantage of this sweet spot? Let’s talk through it and see what’s possible.