The number of home sales in the United States peaked in 2021 at almost ************* after steadily rising since 2018. Nevertheless, the market contracted in the following year, with transaction volumes falling to ***********. Home sales remained muted in 2024, with a mild increase expected in 2025 and 2026. A major factor driving this trend is the unprecedented increase in mortgage interest rates due to high inflation. How have U.S. home prices developed over time? The average sales price of new homes has also been rising since 2011. Buyer confidence seems to have recovered after the property crash, which has increased demand for homes and also the prices sellers are demanding for homes. At the same time, the affordability of U.S. homes has decreased. Both the number of existing and newly built homes sold has declined since the housing market boom during the coronavirus pandemic. Challenges in housing supply The number of housing units in the U.S. rose steadily between 1975 and 2005 but has remained fairly stable since then. Construction increased notably in the 1990s and early 2000s, with the number of construction starts steadily rising, before plummeting amid the infamous housing market crash. Housing starts slowly started to pick up in 2011, mirroring the economic recovery. In 2022, the supply of newly built homes plummeted again, as supply chain challenges following the COVID-19 pandemic and tariffs on essential construction materials such as steel and lumber led to prices soaring.

Global house prices experienced a significant shift in 2022, with advanced economies seeing a notable decline after a prolonged period of growth. The real house price index (adjusted for inflation) for advanced economies peaked at nearly *** index points in early 2022 before falling to around ***** points by the second quarter of 2023. In the second quarter of 2025, the index reached ***** points. This represents a reversal of the upward trend that had characterized the housing market for roughly a decade. Likewise, real house prices in emerging economies declined after reaching a high of ***** points in the third quarter of 2021. What is behind the slowdown? Inflation and slow economic growth have been the primary drivers for the cooling of the housing market. Secondly, the growing gap between incomes and house prices since 2012 has decreased the affordability of homeownership. Last but not least, homebuyers in 2024 faced dramatically higher mortgage interest rates, further contributing to worsening sentiment and declining transactions. Some markets continue to grow While many countries witnessed a deceleration in house price growth in 2022, some markets continued to see substantial increases. Turkey, in particular, stood out with a nominal increase in house prices of over ** percent in the first quarter of 2025. Other countries that recorded a two-digit growth include North Macedonia and Russia. When accounting for inflation, the three countries with the fastest growing residential prices in early 2025 were North Macedonia, Portugal, and Bulgaria.

The number of U.S. home sales in the United States declined in 2024, after soaring in 2021. A total of four million transactions of existing homes, including single-family, condo, and co-ops, were completed in 2024, down from 6.12 million in 2021. According to the forecast, the housing market is forecast to head for recovery in 2025, despite transaction volumes expected to remain below the long-term average. Why have home sales declined? The housing boom during the coronavirus pandemic has demonstrated that being a homeowner is still an integral part of the American dream. Nevertheless, sentiment declined in the second half of 2022 and Americans across all generations agreed that the time was not right to buy a home. A combination of factors has led to house prices rocketing and making homeownership unaffordable for the average buyer. A survey among owners and renters found that the high home prices and unfavorable economic conditions were the two main barriers to making a home purchase. People who would like to purchase their own home need to save up a deposit, have a good credit score, and a steady and sufficient income to be approved for a mortgage. In 2022, mortgage rates experienced the most aggressive increase in history, making the total cost of homeownership substantially higher. Are U.S. home prices expected to fall? The median sales price of existing homes stood at 413,000 U.S. dollars in 2024 and was forecast to increase slightly until 2026. The development of the S&P/Case Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index shows that home prices experienced seven consecutive months of decline between June 2022 and January 2023, but this trend reversed in the following months. Despite mild fluctuations throughout the year, home prices in many metros are forecast to continue to grow, albeit at a much slower rate.

Graph and download economic data for All-Transactions House Price Index for the United States (USSTHPI) from Q1 1975 to Q3 2025 about appraisers, HPI, housing, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

Revenue for the Residential Real Estate industry in China is expected to decrease at a CAGR of 9.8% over the five years through 2025. This trend includes an expected decrease of 9.6% in the current year.Since August 2020, the People's Bank of China and the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission have proposed three debt indicators for real estate development and management companies through which the company's financial health can be rated. This new policy has exacerbated the company's debt pressure, making it unable to repay old debts by borrowing new debt. Some real estate companies faced a liquidity crisis.In 2022, the city's lockdown and laying-off caused by COVID-19 epidemic led to the pressure of delaying the delivery of houses. The industry's newly constructed and completed areas decreased significantly throughout the year. In addition, the epidemic has impacted sales in the industry, and some sales offices have been forced to close temporarily. In 2022, the residential sales area decreased by 26.8%, and the residential sales decreased by 31.2%.Industry revenue will recover at an annualized 0.7% over the five years through 2030. Over the next five years, the industry's drag on GDP will weaken, and industry growth will stabilize. However, high housing prices have become a major social problem in China. Under the measures on the principle that residential real estate is used for living, not speculation, the financial attributes of real estate will gradually weaken, and housing prices will tend to stabilize.

Graph and download economic data for Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States (MSPUS) from Q1 1963 to Q2 2025 about sales, median, housing, and USA.

Turkey experienced the highest annual change in house prices in 2025, followed by North Macedonia and Portugal. In the second quarter of the year, the nominal house price in Turkey grew by **** percent, while in North Macedonia and Portugal, the increase was **** and **** percent, respectively. Meanwhile, some countries saw prices fall throughout the year. That has to do with an overall cooling of the global housing market that started in 2022. When accounting for inflation, house price growth was slower, and even more countries saw the market shrink.

The Spain residential real estate market size was USD 145.18 Billion in 2022 and is likely to reach USD 264.67 Billion by 2031, expanding at a CAGR of 6.9% during 2023–2031. The growth of the market is attributed to the increase in construction as well as population.

Spain’s real estate market is posting a positive trend, especially in terms of demand. The revival in house sales was high in 2021. For instance, 468,000 transactions were completed by October 2021, a growth of 35.9% compared to 2020 and up by 8.3% on 2019. The activity in the residential sector was highest since 2008. A large part of this revival in demand has come from a reduction in pent-up demand and the forced savings accumulated during the months of lockdown and severely restricted travel, combined with highly favorable financing conditions, which make it more attractive to buy and invest in real estate assets. The residential sector is therefore on track to close 2021 with 545,000 sales in the year as a whole.

Before the pandemic began, the residential real estate market in Spain was growing at a healthy pace, which was then dented by Covid-19 as the construction of housing units came down. However, in 2021, the market was back on track with increase in construction.



As per the latest data from the Appraisal Society, it indicates that the price of new housing has remained stable, in a context of increased sales and improvement in economic indicators. The average price of new homes has grown 0.4% in Spain over the last 12 months to Euro 2,482 (approximately USD 2812) per square meter. This slight increase has been generalized and has been registered in 16 of the 17 autonomous communities.



The economic consequences of the Covid crisis made a dent in the real estate market, and has reflected in the 16.7% collapse of sales in Spain in 2020 to 419,898 transactions. As a result, experimental ways of life are introduced into the real estate market to compensate for the lack of social interaction between people.

Spain Residential Real Estate Market Trends, Drivers, Restraints, and Opportunities

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The Scandinavian real estate market, encompassing countries like Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland, exhibits robust growth potential, fueled by a confluence of factors. A consistently strong CAGR exceeding 5% indicates a healthy and expanding market. Key drivers include increasing urbanization, a growing population, particularly in major cities like Stockholm, Oslo, and Copenhagen, and a rising demand for both residential and commercial properties. The market is segmented into villas and landed houses, catering to affluent buyers seeking larger spaces and more privacy, and apartments and condominiums, which represent a more significant portion of the market due to higher population density in urban centers and appeal to a wider range of buyers. Furthermore, government initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure and boosting sustainable housing contribute positively to market expansion. While fluctuating interest rates and potential economic downturns pose challenges, the Scandinavian region's strong economic fundamentals and consistently high demand suggest sustained growth in the medium to long term. Specific market segments like luxury properties and sustainable building designs are experiencing accelerated growth. The presence of established and well-regarded players, including Riksbyggen, Balder, and others, underscores the market's maturity and competitiveness. The strong performance of the Scandinavian economies, coupled with a focus on quality of life and attractive urban landscapes, further enhances the appeal of the region's real estate sector, ensuring sustained growth prospects for the coming years. The regional distribution of this growth is varied. While the Nordics dominate the market currently, other European regions may experience increased investment due to spillover effects and cross-border investments. International investors are actively participating, drawn by the stable political climate, transparent regulatory frameworks, and potential for long-term appreciation. However, challenges exist in the form of rising construction costs and limited land availability in prime urban areas. These constraints, while present, are unlikely to significantly impede the overall market growth trajectory, given the underlying demand and continued governmental support for the sector. Looking ahead, the Scandinavian real estate market is positioned for continued expansion, driven by demographic trends, economic stability, and ongoing efforts to create attractive and sustainable living environments. The diverse range of property types and significant involvement of major players suggest a robust and resilient market poised for further growth in the years to come. Recent developments include: April 2022: Trivselhus developed a new product called Stella 131. Stella 131 is a well-planned house that fits perfectly on narrower plots as the entrance is located on the gable. Exits for four directions make the house easy to place on the plot and provide the opportunity to create several patios for both sun and shade. The slightly elevated wall life on the façade allows for space for an awning or pergola., April 2022: The Lindbacks has signed an agreement with K-fast, Eskilstuna's municipal properties. The agreement includes building of 86 rental apartments in three wooden buildings with geothermal heating and solar cells. . Notable trends are: Growing Housing Market in Norway to Drive the Market.

The Canadian housing market, particularly in major urban centers, has experienced a prolonged period of rapid price appreciation, driven by factors such as low interest rates, strong population growth, and limited supply. According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the national average house price rose by more than 50% between 2020 and 2022, with prices in some major cities, such as Toronto and Vancouver, increasing by even more. This rapid price growth has made it increasingly difficult for many Canadians to afford a home, especially in the country's most desirable markets. However, the Canadian housing market is starting to show signs of cooling in 2023, as rising interest rates and stricter mortgage lending rules from the government begin to take effect. The CMHC predicts that the national average house price will decline by 7.6% in 2023, with prices in some markets, such as Toronto and Vancouver, expected to fall by even more. This cooling is expected to continue in 2024, with the CMHC predicting a further decline in the national average house price of 3.2%. The long-term outlook for the Canadian housing market is more uncertain, but the CMHC expects that prices will continue to rise, albeit at a more moderate pace. The Canadian housing market is one of the most expensive in the world, with prices in major cities like Toronto and Vancouver soaring to record highs in recent years. This has led to a growing concern about affordability, as many Canadians are being priced out of the market. Key drivers for this market are: Increasing Adoption of Remote and Hybrid Work Model. Potential restraints include: Lack of Privacy. Notable trends are: Pandemic Accelerated Luxury Home Sales in Major Canadian Markets.

Housing Starts in the United States decreased to 1307 Thousand units in August from 1429 Thousand units in July of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - United States Housing Starts - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

This is not going to be an article or Op-Ed about Michael Jordan. Since 2009 we've been in the longest bull-market in history, that's 11 years and counting. However a few metrics like the stock market P/E, the call to put ratio and of course the Shiller P/E suggest a great crash is coming in-between the levels of 1929 and the dot.com bubble. Mean reversion historically is inevitable and the Fed's printing money experiment could end in disaster for the stock market in late 2021 or 2022. You can read Jeremy Grantham's Last Dance article here. You are likely well aware of Michael Burry's predicament as well. It's easier for you just to skim through two related videos on this topic of a stock market crash. Michael Burry's Warning see this YouTube. Jeremy Grantham's Warning See this YouTube. Typically when there is a major event in the world, there is a crash and then a bear market and a recovery that takes many many months. In March, 2020 that's not what we saw since the Fed did some astonishing things that means a liquidity sloth and the risk of a major inflation event. The pandemic represented the quickest decline of at least 30% in the history of the benchmark S&P 500, but the recovery was not correlated to anything but Fed intervention. Since the pandemic clearly isn't disappearing and many sectors such as travel, business travel, tourism and supply chain disruptions appear significantly disrupted - the so-called economic recovery isn't so great. And there's this little problem at the heart of global capitalism today, the stock market just keeps going up. Crashes and corrections typically occur frequently in a normal market. But the Fed liquidity and irresponsible printing of money is creating a scenario where normal behavior isn't occurring on the markets. According to data provided by market analytics firm Yardeni Research, the benchmark index has undergone 38 declines of at least 10% since the beginning of 1950. Since March, 2020 we've barely seen a down month. September, 2020 was flat-ish. The S&P 500 has more than doubled since those lows. Look at the angle of the curve: The S&P 500 was 735 at the low in 2009, so in this bull market alone it has gone up 6x in valuation. That's not a normal cycle and it could mean we are due for an epic correction. I have to agree with the analysts who claim that the long, long bull market since 2009 has finally matured into a fully-fledged epic bubble. There is a complacency, buy-the dip frenzy and general meme environment to what BigTech can do in such an environment. The weight of Apple, Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft, Facebook, Nvidia and Tesla together in the S&P and Nasdaq is approach a ridiculous weighting. When these stocks are seen both as growth, value and companies with unbeatable moats the entire dynamics of the stock market begin to break down. Check out FANG during the pandemic. BigTech is Seen as Bullet-Proof me valuations and a hysterical speculative behavior leads to even higher highs, even as 2020 offered many younger people an on-ramp into investing for the first time. Some analysts at JP Morgan are even saying that until retail investors stop charging into stocks, markets probably don’t have too much to worry about. Hedge funds with payment for order flows can predict exactly how these retail investors are behaving and monetize them. PFOF might even have to be banned by the SEC. The risk-on market theoretically just keeps going up until the Fed raises interest rates, which could be in 2023! For some context, we're more than 1.4 years removed from the bear-market bottom of the coronavirus crash and haven't had even a 5% correction in nine months. This is the most over-priced the market has likely ever been. At the night of the dot-com bubble the S&P 500 was only 1,400. Today it is 4,500, not so many years after. Clearly something is not quite right if you look at history and the P/E ratios. A market pumped with liquidity produces higher earnings with historically low interest rates, it's an environment where dangerous things can occur. In late 1997, as the S&P 500 passed its previous 1929 peak of 21x earnings, that seemed like a lot, but nothing compared to today. For some context, the S&P 500 Shiller P/E closed last week at 38.58, which is nearly a two-decade high. It's also well over double the average Shiller P/E of 16.84, dating back 151 years. So the stock market is likely around 2x over-valued. Try to think rationally about what this means for valuations today and your favorite stock prices, what should they be in historical terms? The S&P 500 is up 31% in the past year. It will likely hit 5,000 before a correction given the amount of added liquidity to the system and the QE the Fed is using that's like a huge abuse of MMT, or Modern Monetary Theory. This has also lent to bubbles in the housing market, crypto and even commodities like Gold with long-term global GDP meeting many headwinds in the years ahead due to a...

China's large population, the accelerating urbanization process, rising household disposable incomes, and strong economic expansion have all contributed to the development of the real estate market. As a result, demand for real estate agents in China has been rising to meet the expanding market volumes and requirements for higher transaction efficiency.Over the five years through 2025, industry revenue is anticipated to decrease at a CAGR of 3.3%, including a decline of 2.2% in 2025. A competitive market has led to speculation and inflated housing prices in recent years. As a result, the Chinese government has implemented property-purchasing and loan limitations, price restrictions, and housing tax reforms to regulate industry development and limit speculation. Since 2022, consumers' demand for real estate has declined due to the COVID-19 epidemic and economic downturn. In 2023, the newly constructed area of real estate decreased by 20.9% year-on-year, which was narrower than that in 2022, while the completed area of real estate in this year increased by 15.8%.Over the five years through 2030, ACMR-IBISWorld forecasts that China's Real Estate Agents industry will recover, with revenue increasing at a CAGR of 1.9%. Due to intensifying competition, the separation of real estate development and sales will continue. Outsourcing real estate sales operations will improve the operational efficiency of real estate developers and offer new opportunities for real estate intermediary service providers in the industry.

House prices grew year-on-year in most states in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2025. Hawaii was the only exception, with a decline of **** percent. The annual appreciation for single-family housing in the U.S. was **** percent, while in Rhode Island—the state where homes appreciated the most—the increase was ******percent. How have home prices developed in recent years? House price growth in the U.S. has been going strong for years. In 2025, the median sales price of a single-family home exceeded ******* U.S. dollars, up from ******* U.S. dollars five years ago. One of the factors driving house prices was the cost of credit. The record-low federal funds effective rate allowed mortgage lenders to set mortgage interest rates as low as *** percent. With interest rates on the rise, home buying has also slowed, causing fluctuations in house prices. Why are house prices growing? Many markets in the U.S. are overheated because supply has not been able to keep up with demand. How many homes enter the housing market depends on the construction output, whereas the availability of existing homes for purchase depends on many other factors, such as the willingness of owners to sell. Furthermore, growing investor appetite in the housing sector means that prospective homebuyers have some extra competition to worry about. In certain metros, for example, the share of homes bought by investors exceeded ** percent in 2025.

The North American mortgage/loan broker market, encompassing the United States and Canada, exhibits robust growth potential. Driven by factors such as increasing homeownership aspirations, fluctuating interest rates stimulating refinancing activity, and the rising complexity of mortgage products requiring expert guidance, the market is projected to maintain a healthy Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.00% from 2025 to 2033. This growth is further fueled by the expanding segments within the market. The enterprise segment, particularly the medium and large-sized businesses, demonstrates strong demand for efficient loan processing solutions offered by brokers. Within applications, home loans continue to be a major driver, followed by growing demand for commercial and industrial loans, reflecting an active construction and business investment landscape. The increasing number of individuals and businesses seeking financial assistance contributes to market expansion, with geographical variations existing between the United States and Canada, reflective of their distinct economic climates and real estate markets. The presence of established players like PennyMac, Home Point, and JP Morgan Chase, alongside numerous regional and independent brokers, indicates a competitive yet dynamic market landscape. However, the market faces certain restraints. Economic downturns, stricter lending regulations, and technological disruptions impacting traditional broker models pose challenges to sustained growth. Nevertheless, the adaptation of innovative technologies, such as online platforms and AI-powered tools, by brokers is expected to mitigate these challenges. The segment comprising loans to governments, while presently smaller, presents a potential avenue for expansion, especially considering infrastructure development projects and government initiatives. Effective segmentation strategies, focusing on specific customer needs and leveraging advanced technologies, are crucial for brokers to gain a competitive edge and capitalize on market opportunities in the years to come. The overall outlook remains positive, with significant growth prospects for well-positioned players in the coming decade. Recent developments include: In November 2022, To expand the use of eNotes across 250 locations in 49 states, Primary Residential Mortgage Inc. (PRMI) employed the eVault and digital closing platform from Snapdocs., In August 2022, Due to the slowdown in home sales caused by rising interest rates, the two biggest mortgage lenders in the US are increasing pressure on their smaller rivals by providing discounts and other incentives. The two biggest mortgage originators in the US, Rocket Mortgage and United Wholesale Mortgage, respectively, are pursuing aggressive strategies at a time when many lenders are leaving the market or going out of business.. Notable trends are: Increase in Digitization in Lending and Blockchain Technology is driving the market.

House prices in the UK rose dramatically during the coronavirus pandemic, with growth slowing down in 2022 and turning negative in 2023. The year-on-year annual house price change peaked at 14 percent in July 2022. In April 2025, house prices increased by 3.5 percent. As of late 2024, the average house price was close to 290,000 British pounds. Correction in housing prices: a European phenomenon The trend of a growing residential real estate market was not exclusive to the UK during the pandemic. Likewise, many European countries experienced falling prices in 2023. When comparing residential property RHPI (price index in real terms, e.g. corrected for inflation), countries such as Germany, France, Italy, and Spain also saw prices decline. Sweden, one of the countries with the fastest growing residential markets, saw one of the largest declines in prices. How has demand for UK housing changed since the outbreak of the coronavirus? The easing of the lockdown was followed by a dramatic increase in home sales. In November 2020, the number of mortgage approvals reached an all-time high of over 107,000. One of the reasons for the housing boom were the low mortgage rates, allowing home buyers to take out a loan with an interest rate as low as 2.5 percent. That changed as the Bank of England started to raise the base lending rate, resulting in higher borrowing costs and a decline in homebuyer sentiment.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of house sales in the UK spiked, followed by a period of decline. In 2023 and 2024, the housing market slowed notably, and in January 2025, transaction volumes fell to 46,774. House sales volumes are impacted by a number of factors, including mortgage rates, house prices, supply, demand, as well as the overall health of the market. The economic uncertainty and rising unemployment rates has also affected the homebuyer sentiment of Brits. How have UK house prices developed over the past 10 years? House prices in the UK have increased year-on-year since 2015, except for a brief period of decline in the second half of 2023 and the beginning of 2024. That is based on the 12-month percentage change of the UK house price index. At the peak of the housing boom in 2022, prices soared by nearly 14 percent. The decline that followed was mild, at under three percent. The cooling in the market was more pronounced in England and Wales, where the average house price declined in 2023. Conversely, growth in Scotland and Northern Ireland continued. What is the impact of mortgage rates on house sales? For a long period, mortgage rates were at record-low, allowing prospective homebuyers to take out a 10-year loan at a mortgage rate of less than three percent. In the last quarter of 2021, this period came to an end as the Bank of England rose the bank lending rate to contain the spike in inflation. Naturally, the higher borrowing costs affected consumer sentiment, urging many homebuyers to place their plans on hold and leading to a decline in sales.

Residential building contractors are contingent on the propensity of property developers to invest in new ventures; movements in property prices; government schemes intended to boost the housing supply; and underlying sentiment in the housing market. Industry contractors have endured turbulent operating conditions over the past five years, leading to volatile shifts in revenue and profitability. Revenue is forecast to grow at a compound annual rate of 5.4% over the five years through 2025-26, reaching £100.5 billion. The pandemic caused a significant drop in output in 2020-21, as restrictions placed on on-site activity and fewer enquiries for new housing units reduced revenue opportunities. Aided by government support for the housing market and the release of pent-up demand, 2021-22 was characterised by a strong rebound in activity, though materials and labour shortages maintained constraints on output. Mounting supply chain disruption and heightened economic uncertainty maintained pressure on output in the following year, though revenue growth was maintained by growth in average selling prices. Interest rate hikes and inflationary pressures led to a more subdued housing market in 2022-23, holding back the number of housing starts and completions during the year. This was followed by a slump in new residential building construction in the following year, as high borrowing costs and uncertain market conditions caused developers to scale back investment plans. The new Labour government has put forth ambitious housing targets, leading to planning reforms, increased funding for SME housebuilders and a particular focus on affordable housing to speed up housing delivery. Even though economic conditions continue to affect investor sentiment, supportive supply-side policies are anticipated to boost revenue growth by 0.5% in 2025-26. This growth is expected to also be fuelled by an uptick in new orders for residential building construction, coupled with a rise in average selling prices. Revenue is slated to climb at a compound annual rate of 2.3% to reach £112.5 billion over the five years through 2030-31. Housebuilding activity is set to grow in the medium-term, aided by the release of pent-up demand. Nonetheless, significant uncertainty remains, with mortgage rates likely to settle well-above pre-pandemic levels and supply chains remaining fragile. The new government’s pledge to deliver 1.5 million houses during the first five years of parliament will boost demand for industry contractors, though the full impact of this on growth prospects is dependent on the nature and extent of accompanying funding plans.

The average sales price of new homes in the United States experienced a slight decrease in 2024, dropping to 512,2000 U.S. dollars from the peak of 521,500 U.S. dollars in 2022. This decline came after years of substantial price increases, with the average price surpassing 400,000 U.S. dollars for the first time in 2021. The recent cooling in the housing market reflects broader economic trends and changing consumer sentiment towards homeownership. Factors influencing home prices and affordability The rapid rise in home prices over the past few years has been driven by several factors, including historically low mortgage rates and increased demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the market has since slowed down, with the number of home sales declining by over two million between 2021 and 2023. This decline can be attributed to rising mortgage rates and decreased affordability. The Housing Affordability Index hit a record low of 98.1 in 2023, indicating that the median-income family could no longer afford a median-priced home. Future outlook for the housing market Despite the recent cooling, experts forecast a potential recovery in the coming years. The Freddie Mac House Price Index showed a growth of 6.5 percent in 2023, which is still above the long-term average of 4.4 percent since 1990. However, homebuyer sentiment remains low across all age groups, with people aged 45 to 64 expressing the most pessimistic outlook. The median sales price of existing homes is expected to increase slightly until 2025, suggesting that affordability challenges may persist in the near future.

The U.S. housing market has slowed, after ** consecutive years of rising home prices. In 2021, house prices surged by an unprecedented ** percent, marking the highest increase on record. However, the market has since cooled, with the Freddie Mac House Price Index showing more modest growth between 2022 and 2024. In 2024, home prices increased by *** percent. That was lower than the long-term average of *** percent since 1990. Impact of mortgage rates on homebuying The recent cooling in the housing market can be partly attributed to rising mortgage rates. After reaching a record low of **** percent in 2021, the average annual rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage more than doubled in 2023. This significant increase has made homeownership less affordable for many potential buyers, contributing to a substantial decline in home sales. Despite these challenges, forecasts suggest a potential recovery in the coming years. How much does it cost to buy a house in the U.S.? In 2023, the median sales price of an existing single-family home reached a record high of over ******* U.S. dollars. Newly built homes were even pricier, despite a slight decline in the median sales price in 2023. Naturally, home prices continue to vary significantly across the country, with West Virginia being the most affordable state for homebuyers.