Welcome to real estate insights born from many years “in the trenches.” This site cuts through the theory to deliver down-to-earth, field-tested advice for homeowners, buyers, and industry pros—covering everything from buying and selling to investing and development. It’s all practical knowledge for making smarter property decisions.
Up-to-date analysis, forecasts, and news on national housing market trends and developments.
Why Home Prices Are Rising in Some Cities but Dropping in Others
Depending on where you live, the housing market might feel hot, cold, or somewhere in between—and that’s not your imagination. According to Zillow’s latest data, home values are now rising in about half of the country’s major metros and falling in the other half. What’s behind this split? Mostly, it’s a mix of affordability, supply, and the ability—or inability—to build.
Buyers Are Getting the Edge—but Sellers Aren’t Giving In Just Yet
According to the Realtor.com June 2025 Monthly Housing Trends Report, buyers have more to look at this summer than they’ve had in years. Active inventory is up 28.9% from a year ago, marking the 20th straight month of gains and the second month in a row with over 1 million listings on the market. The report calls this a “new post-pandemic high”—but inventory is still 12.9% below pre-COVID levels, so it’s not exactly a buyer’s market yet.
When the “For Sale” Sign Becomes a “For Rent” Sign
A new report from Parcl Labs lays out a trend that some of us on the ground have seen firsthand: a growing number of “accidental landlords” popping up in markets where the big investors are most entrenched—and pulling back.
The real estate market just got a fresh dose of both reality and opportunity, according to a new June 2025 analysis from Chandan Economics. Their latest report flags two key developments that should be on every agent’s, investor’s, and savvy homeowner’s radar: a clear housing market slowdown and major pro-real estate wins tucked into federal tax legislation.
First, the red flag: new home sales in May dropped 13.7% from the month before, hitting their lowest level since October 2024. That’s not a minor blip. Inventory is rising, discounting is dragging on, and, according to Chandan, some builders are now “halting construction.” If you’re working with buyers waiting for prices to soften, or sellers expecting the frenzy of 2021-2022, this is the kind of shift that can reset expectations fast.
When it comes to housing affordability, location isn’t just important, it’s crucial. ATTOM Data Solutions’ latest U.S. Home Affordability Report reveals that in the second quarter of 2025, homeownership expenses were unaffordable for typical residents in 77.9% of counties across the country. Nationally, the median home price rose to a historic high of $369,000, requiring average earners to dedicate 33.7% of their income, well above the recommended maximum of 28%,towards housing expenses.
This increasing burden is especially pronounced in populous counties such as Los Angeles County, CA; Cook County, IL (Chicago); and Maricopa County, AZ (Phoenix), where affordability has sharply declined. The report highlights how wages have stagnated compared to rapidly rising home prices: since early 2020, the median home price in the U.S. increased by 55.7%, while average wages rose by just 26.6%.
If you’re an independent landlord, or you represent one, June’s rent payment numbers might catch your attention.
According to Chandan Economics’ latest monthly tracker, only 84.3% of independently managed rental units were paid on time last month. That’s down 85 basis points from May and marks a 23-month streak of year-over-year declines in on-time payment rates. The report, based on data from RentRedi covering 73,502 units, shows a clear downward trend that landlords can’t afford to ignore.
It’s no secret that affordability is a concern almost everywhere, but according to ATTOM’s Q1 2025 Special Housing Risk Report, certain U.S. counties are showing more signs of vulnerability than others. Topping the list? California and New Jersey.
In total, 23 of the 50 most at-risk housing markets were in those two states—14 in California and 9 in New Jersey—according to the report, which considered home affordability, seriously underwater mortgages, foreclosures, and unemployment rates.
If you were hoping for some bright spots in the real estate market this summer, you’re not alone—so was Dr. Lawrence Yun.
Yesterday, I attend the Economic Issues & Trends Forum at NAR’s Mid-Year Meetings in Washington D.C. at which, Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for the National Association of Realtors, opened with a bit of candor: “I thought at this conference I would share some good news with you. Home sales are rising. Momentum is building. But we are not seeing that”.
Condo Market Hits a Decade Low for Investors—Is It an Opportunity for You?
Investor interest in U.S. condos has dropped to its lowest level in ten years, according to newly released data, with only 8,509 units purchased nationwide in Q1 2025. That marks a 3% year-over-year decline—and aside from the early-pandemic freeze, it’s the weakest quarter for condo investor activity in a decade.
Sun Belt Buyers Finally Have the Upper Hand—For Now
If you’re house hunting this spring, your experience might hinge on where you’re looking. According to new data from Zillow, there are major differences in how competitive local markets are, and that might be the edge buyers have been waiting for in certain parts of the country.