Housing Market News
Americans Have Gained $2 Trillion in Home Value During the Coronavirus Pandemic
The value of homes in the U.S. has surged 6.7% to $31.4 trillion since February despite skyrocketing unemployment triggered by the pandemic—further widening the wealth
In Areas at High Risk for Wildfires, Relative Affordability Lures Homebuyers
In the past eight years, the price difference between low-risk and high-risk areas has flipped—from a 2.5% premium in high-risk areas in 2012 to a
Condo Prices Climb 5.4% in August, Lagging 11.9% Growth for Single-Family Homes
Condos are facing relatively slow price growth as remote work, the desire for privacy and record-low mortgage rates make single-family homes more desirable during the coronavirus pandemic. But condos could make a comeback if single-family home prices continue to surge.

America’s Housing Shortage Is Intensifying During the Pandemic—Especially in Relatively Affordable Places Like San Antonio and Baltimore
Relatively affordable places including San Antonio and Baltimore have seen housing supply plummet, while San Francisco has experienced a flood of homes for sale as Americans flee dense, expensive cities
Homebuyers on a $2,500 Monthly Budget Can Afford $33,000 More With Low Mortgage Rates, But Higher Home Prices Cancel Out Increase
Historically low rates are motivating homebuyers even though prices were up 8.2% year over year in July, effectively cancelling out the increase in purchasing power.
A Quarter of San Francisco Home Sellers Are Dropping Their Prices, the Highest Rate on Record
San Francisco has seen a greater increase in price drops than any other U.S. metro, with the share of sellers slashing prices more than doubling from a year ago as the pandemic drives homebuyers out of the Bay Area.
All-Cash Home Purchases Ended 2025 at Five-Year Low
29% of homebuyers paid with cash in December—the lowest share for that month since 2020—as a drop in mortgage rates diminished the benefits of paying
Homebuyer Down Payments Shrink for First Time in 5 Months
The typical homebuyer’s down payment dropped 1.5% year over year in December to $64,000 as elevated housing costs and increased negotiating power drove buyers to
64% of Single Americans Struggle to Afford Housing, Compared With 39% of Married People
Nearly half of single Americans earn less than $50,000 per year, compared to just 9% of married couples, according to a recent Redfin survey. That
Homebuyers Need to Earn $35,000 More Than Renters to Afford Monthly Payments. That’s the Smallest Gap in 3 Years.
Homebuyers need to earn $111,000 annually to afford the median-priced home, compared with $76,000 for renters. The median household income is $86,000. While that’s a
Affordability Is Improving: Buyers Must Earn $111,000 to Afford the Typical Home, Down 4% From Last Year
Homebuying affordability is improving nationwide after nearly five years during which it generally worsened. That’s because mortgage rates are lower and home-price growth is muted.
Austin, TX—Once Among the Nation’s Hottest Housing Markets—Is Now the Slowest
The typical Austin home that went under contract in December spent a record 106 days on the market, compared with 60 days nationwide. A decade