Real Estate Outlook for 2025: Key Trends and Predictions
Real Estate Outlook for 2025: Key Trends and Predictions
The housing market has faced challenges in recent years, but brighter days may be ahead. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), shared an optimistic forecast for 2025 and 2026, predicting an uptick in home sales and more stable mortgage rates.
Rising Home Sales
Yun expects home sales to rise in the next few years. He predicts existing home sales will increase by 9% in 2025 and 13% in 2026, with new home sales also seeing growth. The improving economy, job gains, and increasing home inventory are all contributing factors to the positive outlook.
Mortgage Rates to Stabilize
Mortgage rates are expected to moderate, though not drop drastically. While recent Fed rate cuts may offer some relief, Yun cautioned that high budget deficits could prevent mortgage rates from returning to low levels seen in previous years. However, the “locked-in” effect of homeowners with low mortgage rates will gradually ease over time, creating opportunities for buyers and sellers.
Home Price Increases to Slow
After years of rapid price growth, home prices are predicted to rise slowly in the next few years. The NAR forecasts a 2% increase in median home prices for both 2025 and 2026. While home equity gains have benefited current homeowners, affordability remains a challenge for many buyers.
Changing Buyer Demographics
The profile of homebuyers is shifting. All-cash buyers have become more common, accounting for 26% of home sales in the past year. First-time homebuyers are older, with a median age of 38, and many are relying on financial help from family or drawing from savings and assets. Multigenerational households are also on the rise, driven by cost-saving efforts and the need to care for aging parents. Additionally, single women buyers outpace single men, with women making up 24% of the home-purchase market.
Looking Ahead
Overall, while challenges persist, the outlook for the housing market is improving. With rising job numbers, moderating mortgage rates, and changing buyer trends, 2025 could be a year of recovery and growth for the real estate market. Real estate professionals should prepare for a busy year ahead, as more Americans may be ready to make a move.
https://www.nar.realtor/magazine/real-estate-news/whats-next-for-the-2025-housing-market