US Housing Inventory Shapes Home Prices
Housing inventory tracks active homes for sale and converts supply into a mo-based metric: total active listings divided by avg. monthly sales for clearer context. A 5-to-6 mo supply signals balance. 6 mo gives buyers more choice and potentially more competitive pricing conditions. National inventory remains tight partly because homeowners with lower existing mortgage rates […]
More Home Choices Emerging for Buyers Amid Market Shifts
The share of all-cash home purchases in the U.S. dropped to 28.8% in March, the lowest since 2020, due to a buyer-friendly market and economic uncertainty. Lower mortgage rates, increased home sellers, and buyers preferring to keep cash amid inflation and recession concerns contributed to the decline. Cash purchases remain higher in affordable and retirement-friendly […]
Honoring the Flag, Celebrating Its Legacy
Flag Day is the American flag's birthday party every June 14th! Flag Day was proclaimed in 1916 but officially recognized in 1949. Talk about a late celebration! Betsy Ross, a seamstress, sewed the first flag. Imagine if designers today made flag-inspired outfits!
Improving Affordability, Emerging Spring Demand May Boost House Price Growth Nationally
National home prices remain slightly below year-ago levels but showed the strongest monthly appreciation in nearly a year, signaling early spring demand and improved affordability. Midwestern and Northeastern markets lead annual price gains, while many Southern and Western markets still see declines. Starter-tier homes in cities like Pittsburgh and Arlington experienced notable price increases. Overall, […]
US home prices rise as Midwest surges and Sunbelt cools
U.S. single-family home prices rose 1.7% year over year in Q1 2026, with a 0.5% quarterly gain. However, inflation outpaced home price growth, causing real values to decline. Price increases varied by state, with Illinois up 7.3% and Colorado down 2.4%. Higher mortgage rates near 6.65% are squeezing affordability, reducing demand and bidding wars, while […]
Signs Your Home Value Is Rising
Neighborhood improvements can boost what buyers pay, sometimes more than a home’s own features alone. New infrastructure like roads, parks, and utility upgrades can signal economic growth that lifts local home values. How to spot infrastructure: follow local news, or search city planning sites for planned capital improvements. Business incentives and better schools can attract […]
Sellers Outnumber Buyers in Soft Market
A brokerage estimate counted 1.39M homebuyers during the measured spring period, near the Early-Q2 2020 low of 1.38M for useful market context. Buyer counts were ~10% lower than Late-Q1 2025, giving prepared buyers more room to compare options and negotiate carefully in a softer marketplace. Seller interest stayed larger, with ~1.99M people looking to sell; […]
America’s Real Estate Enters Next Chapter
America will mark its 250th birthday on July 4, 2026, with Real Estate framed as central to the nation’s land-based story and identity. Early property ownership represented power and opportunity, while uneven oversight showed why today’s professional standards, ethics, and guidance matter in transactions so deeply. Over time, licensing, ethics rules, and cooperation among brokers […]
Home improvements that add the most value before you sell in retirement
Replacing a garage door offers the highest ROI at 268%, followed by steel entry door replacement and manufactured stone veneer, both over 200%. Minor kitchen remodels return 113%, while fiber-cement siding replacement yields 114%. Fresh interior paint, wood deck additions, midrange bathroom remodels, backup generators, roof replacements, flooring updates, landscaping refreshes, vinyl window replacements, HVAC […]
Key Takeaways: April 2026 Virginia Home Sales Report
Virginia's housing market saw 9,758 closed sales in April, a 4.5% increase from last year, with year-to-date sales up 5.8%. The median sold price rose 3.5% to $439,945, and total sold volume reached $5.5 billion, up 8.9%. Active listings increased to 23,867. More sellers entering the market and resilient demand despite rising interest rates suggest […]