House prices grew year-on-year in most states in the U.S. in the third quarter of 2024. The District of Columbia was the only exception, with a decline of three percent. The annual appreciation for single-family housing in the U.S. was 0.71 percent, while in Hawaii—the state where homes appreciated the most—the increase exceeded 10 percent. How have home prices developed in recent years? House price growth in the U.S. has been going strong for years. In 2024, the median sales price of a single-family home exceeded 413,000 U.S. dollars, up from 277,000 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 2.3 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 20 percent in 2024.

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 13 consecutive years of rising home prices. In 2021, house prices surged by an unprecedented 18 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 4.2 percent. That was lower than the long-term average of 4.4 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 2.96 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 389,000 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.

Key information about House Prices Growth

• US house prices grew 5.2% YoY in Sep 2024, following an increase of 6.2% YoY in the previous quarter.
• YoY growth data is updated quarterly, available from Mar 1992 to Sep 2024, with an average growth rate of 5.5%.
• House price data reached an all-time high of 17.7% in Sep 2021 and a record low of -12.4% in Dec 2008.

Graph and download economic data for Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States (MSPUS) from Q1 1963 to Q4 2024 about sales, median, housing, and USA.

New Home Sales in the United States increased to 676 Thousand units in February from 664 Thousand units in January of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - United States New Home Sales - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Single Family Home Prices in the United States increased to 398400 USD in February from 393400 USD in January of 2025. This dataset provides - United States Existing Single Family Home Prices- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

House Price Index YoY in the United States remained unchanged at 4.80 percent in January. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for the United States FHFA House Price Index YoY.

Graph and download economic data for All-Transactions House Price Index for California (CASTHPI) from Q1 1975 to Q4 2024 about appraisers, CA, HPI, housing, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

Existing Home Sales in the United States increased to 4260 Thousand in February from 4090 Thousand in January of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - United States Existing Home Sales - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

House Price Index MoM in the United States decreased to 0.20 percent in January from 0.50 percent in December of 2024. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for the United States FHFA House Price Index MoM.

The U.S. housing market continues to evolve, with the median home price forecast to reach 426,000 U.S. dollars by the second quarter of 2026. This projection comes after a period of significant growth and recent fluctuations, reflecting the complex interplay of economic factors affecting the real estate sector. The rising costs have not only impacted home prices, but also down payments, with the median down payment more than doubling since 2012. Regional variations in housing costs Home prices and down payments vary dramatically across the United States. While the national median down payment stood at approximately 26,700 U.S. dollars in early 2024, homebuyers in states like California, Massachusetts, and Hawaii faced down payments exceeding 74,000 U.S. dollars. This disparity highlights the challenges of homeownership in high-cost markets and underscores the importance of location in determining housing affordability. Market dynamics and future outlook The housing market has shown signs of cooling after years of rapid growth, with more modest price increases of 4.8 percent in 2022 and 6.5 percent in 2023. This slowdown can be attributed in part to rising mortgage rates, which have tempered demand. Despite these challenges, most states continued to see year-over-year price growth in the fourth quarter of 2023, with Rhode Island and Vermont leading the pack at over 13 percent appreciation. As the market adjusts to new economic realities, potential homebuyers and investors alike will be watching closely for signs of stabilization or renewed growth in the coming years.

Graph and download economic data for All-Transactions House Price Index for the United States (USSTHPI) from Q1 1975 to Q4 2024 about appraisers, HPI, housing, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

The U.S. mortgage market has declined notably since 2020 and 2021, mostly due to the effect of higher borrowing costs on refinance mortgages. The value of refinancing mortgage originations, amounted to 86 billion U.S. dollars in the first quarter of 2024, down from a peak of 851 billion U.S. dollars in the fourth quarter of 2020. The value of mortgage loans for the purchase of a property recorded milder fluctuations, with a value of 291 billion U.S. dollars in the first quarter of 2024, and a market peak of 477 billion U.S. dollars in the first quarter of 2022. According to the forecast, mortgage lending is expected to slightly increase until the end of 2025. The cost of mortgage borrowing in the U.S. Mortgage interest rates in the U.S. rose dramatically in 2022 and continued to increase in 2023. In 2020, a homebuyer could lock in a 30-year fixed interest rate of under three percent, whereas in 2023, the average rate for the same mortgage type exceeded seven percent. That has led to a decline in homebuyer sentiment, and an increasing share of the population pessimistic about buying a home in the current market. The effect of a slower housing market on property prices and rents According to the S&P/Case Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index, housing prices experienced a slight correction in early 2023, as property transactions declined. Nevertheless, the index continued to grow in the following months. On the other hand, residential rents have increased steadily since 2000.

Graph and download economic data for All-Transactions House Price Index for Los Angeles County, CA (ATNHPIUS06037A) from 1975 to 2024 about Los Angeles County, CA; Los Angeles; CA; HPI; housing; price index; indexes; price; and USA.

Graph and download economic data for All-Transactions House Price Index for Montana (MTSTHPI) from Q1 1975 to Q4 2024 about MT, appraisers, HPI, housing, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

According to Cognitive Market Research, the global Real Estate Sector market size will be USD 3625.5 million in 2024. It will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.50% from 2024 to 2031.

North America held the major market share for more than 40% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 1450.20 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.7% from 2024 to 2031.
Europe accounted for a market share of over 30% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 1087.65 million.
Asia Pacific held a market share of around 23% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 833.87 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.0% from 2024 to 2031.
Latin America had a market share of more than 5% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 181.28 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9% from 2024 to 2031.
Middle East and Africa had a market share of around 2% of the global revenue and was estimated at a market size of USD 72.51 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2% from 2024 to 2031.
The Commercial real estate is the fastest-growing segment, driven by economic development, urbanization, and a shift toward modern, multi-use spaces

Market Dynamics of Real Estate Sector Market

Key Drivers for Real Estate Sector Market

Urbanization and Population Growth to Boost Market Growth

Urbanization is one of the primary drivers of the real estate sector. As more people migrate from rural areas to urban centers, there is an increasing demand for both residential and commercial properties. The growth of megacities around the world has spurred significant development in infrastructure, housing, and office spaces. This trend is expected to continue as populations in cities grow, creating new opportunities for real estate developers to meet the expanding demand for housing, retail spaces, and industrial areas. Additionally, urbanization leads to an increase in disposable income, further boosting the demand for better housing options and modern amenities. For instance, in October 2021, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) stated that the benchmark interest rate would remain at 4%, providing a substantial boost to the country's real estate sector. Low house loan interest rates are predicted to fuel housing demand and boost sales by 35-40% during the holiday season of 2021

Economic Expansion and Rising Income Levels to Drive Market Growth

The overall economic expansion in many countries is another key driver for the real estate market. As economies grow, the demand for residential, commercial, and industrial properties rises in tandem. Rising income levels also contribute to increased purchasing power, allowing more people to invest in homes and businesses. Furthermore, a strong economy often leads to higher investor confidence, attracting more capital into the real estate sector. The construction of new infrastructure projects such as highways, airports, and transport systems also fuels further demand for real estate, thereby benefiting the market.

Restraint Factor for the Real Estate Sector Market

High Construction Costs, will Limit Market Growth

One of the significant restraints in the real estate sector is the rising cost of construction materials and labor. The volatility in the prices of raw materials such as steel, cement, and timber, combined with labor shortages, leads to higher construction costs, which can delay projects and reduce profit margins. Additionally, increased costs can make property prices unaffordable for potential buyers, thus slowing the pace of development. This situation is exacerbated by global supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressures, which negatively affect the overall cost structure in real estate development. Developers must navigate these challenges while maintaining competitive pricing to ensure market viability.

Impact of Covid-19 on the Real Estate Sector Market

Covid-19 pandemic significantly impacted the real estate sector, leading to shifts in both demand and operational dynamics. During the early phases of the pandemic, lockdowns and economic uncertainties caused a slowdown in construction activities, delays in project completions, and a decline in property transactions. The residential market experienced a surge in demand for larger homes and properties in suburban areas as people ...

Turkey experienced the highest annual change in house prices in 2024, followed by Russia and the United Arab Emirates. In the first quarter of the year, the nominal house price in Turkey grew by 55 percent, while in Russia and the United Arab Emirates, the increase was 19 and 18 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, several markets, including Hong Kong, Luxembourg, and Germany, saw prices fall. 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.

Portugal, Canada, and the United States were the countries with the highest house price to income ratio in 2023. In all three countries, the index exceeded 130 index points, while the average for all OECD countries stood at 117.5 index points. The index measures the development of housing affordability and is calculated by dividing nominal house price by nominal disposable income per head, with 2015 set as a base year when the index amounted to 100. An index value of 120, for example, would mean that house price growth has outpaced income growth by 20 percent since 2015. How have house prices worldwide changed since the COVID-19 pandemic? House prices started to rise gradually after the global financial crisis (2007–2008), but this trend accelerated with the pandemic. The countries with advanced economies, which usually have mature housing markets, experienced stronger growth than countries with emerging economies. Real house price growth (accounting for inflation) peaked in 2022 and has since lost some of the gain. Although, many countries experienced a decline in house prices, the global house price index shows that property prices in 2023 were still substantially higher than before COVID-19. Renting vs. buying In the past, house prices have grown faster than rents. However, the home affordability has been declining notably, with a direct impact on rental prices. As people struggle to buy a property of their own, they often turn to rental accommodation. This has resulted in a growing demand for rental apartments and soaring rental prices.

Housing Index in the United States increased to 436.50 points in January from 435.80 points in December of 2024. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - United States House Price Index MoM Change - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.