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If you’ve been watching the market, you’ve likely noticed a few changes already this year. But what’s next? From home prices to mortgage rates, here’s what the latest expert forecasts suggest for the rest of 2025 – and what these shifts could mean for you. Will Home Prices Fall? Many buyers are hoping home prices will come down soon. And recent headlines about prices dipping in some areas are making some people believe it's just a matter of time before there’s a bigger drop. But here are the facts. While home price growth is slowing down, that doesn’t mean we’re headed for a crash. As NAHB explains: “House price growth slowed . . . partly due to a decline in demand and an increase in supply. Persistent high mortgage rates and increased inventory combined to ease upward pressure on house prices. These factors signaled a cooling market, following rapid gains seen in previous years.” But experts say, even with that slowdown, prices will still rise this year at the national level. The average of 8 leading forecasters shows prices are expected to go up 1.5-2% in 2025 (see graph below): That means, if you’re waiting for a major drop, experts agree that’s just not in the cards. Keep in mind, while some markets are already seeing prices come down slightly, the average dip is just -3.5%. That’s a far cry from the nearly 20% decline the market experienced during the 2008 crash. Plus, those small changes are easily absorbed when you consider how much home prices have climbed over the past few years. Data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) shows prices are up 55% nationally compared to just 5 years ago. The takeaway? Prices aren’t crashing. They’re expected to keep climbing – just not as quickly these days. And some may argue they’ll be closer to flat by the end of this year. But, again, this is going to vary by market, with some local ups and downs. So, lean on a pro to see the latest price trends for your area. Will Mortgage Rates Come Down? Another common thought among today’s buyers is: I’m just going to wait for rates to come down. But is that a smart strategy? According to Yahoo Finance: "If you’re looking for a substantial interest rate drop in 2025, you’ll likely be left waiting. The latest news from the Federal Reserve and other key economic data point toward steady mortgage rates on par with what we see today." In other words, don’t try to time the market or wait for a drop that may not be coming. Most experts say rates will remain in the 6s, and current projections have them settling in the mid-6% range by the end of this year (see chart below): And that’s not a big change from where they are right now. So, if you need to move, let’s talk about how to make it happen and what you should watch for. Because while rates may not be as low as you want them to be, you don’t want to put your needs on the back burner, hoping for something the data shows isn’t likely to happen. Working with an expert who is keeping an eye on all the economic factors that can influence mortgage rates is going to be essential this year. That’s because changes in things like inflation and other key drivers could impact how rates move going forward. The Takeaway for Buyers and Sellers Whether you're buying, selling, or thinking about doing both, this market requires strategy, not guesswork. Prices are still rising nationally (just more slowly), and rates are projected to stay pretty much where they are, so the bigger picture is one of moderation – not a meltdown. Bottom Line If you want to make a move, your best bet is to focus on your personal situation – not what the headlines say – and work with a real estate pro who knows how to navigate the shifting conditions in your local market. Connect with a local agent to go over what’s happening in your area and build a plan that works for you.

Foreclosure headlines are making noise again – and they’re designed to stir up fear to get you to read them. But what the data shows is actually happening in the market tells a very different story than what you might be led to believe. So, before you jump to conclusions, it’s important to look at the full picture. Yes, foreclosure starts are up 7% in the first six months of the year. But zooming out shows that’s nowhere near crisis levels. Here’s why. Filings Are Still Far Below Crash Levels Even with the recent uptick, overall foreclosure filings are still very low. In the first half of 2025, just 0.13% of homes had filed for foreclosure. That’s less than 1% of homes in this country. In fact, it’s even far less than that at under a quarter of a percent. That’s a very small fraction of all the homes out there. But like with anything else in real estate, the numbers vary by market. Here’s the map you need to see that shows how foreclosure rates are lower than you might think, and how they differ by local area: For context, data from ATTOM shows in the first half of 2025, 1 in every 758 homes nationwide had a foreclosure filing. Thats the 0.13% you can see in the map above. But in 2010, back during the crash? Mortgage News Daily says it was 1 in every 45 homes. Today’s Numbers Don’t Indicate a Market in Trouble But here’s what everyone remembers… Leading up to the crash, risky lending practices left homeowners with payments they eventually couldn’t afford. That led to a situation where many homeowners were underwater on their mortgages. When they couldn’t make their payments, they had no choice but to walk away. Foreclosures surged, and the market ultimately crashed. Today’s housing market is very different. Lending standards are stronger. Homeowners have near record levels of equity. And when someone hits financial trouble, that equity means many people can sell their home rather than face foreclosure. As Rick Sharga, Founder of CJ Patrick Company, explains: “. . . a significant factor contributing to today’s comparatively low levels of foreclosure activity is that homeowners—including those in foreclosure—possess an unprecedented amount of home equity.” No one wants to see a homeowner struggle. But if you’re a homeowner facing hardship, talk to your mortgage provider. You may have more options than you think. Bottom Line Recent headlines may not tell the whole story, but the data does. Foreclosure activity remains low by historical standards and is not a sign of another crash. If you’re simply watching the market and want to understand what’s really going on, or how this impacts the value of your home, connect with an agent. They’ll help you separate fact from fear by showing you what the data really says.

Some Highlights If you’re tempted to delay your move in hope that mortgage rates will come down, you may want to rethink that strategy based on the latest forecast. Experts say mortgage rates are projected to stay in the 6s this year. So don’t expect a big drop. If you want to talk about what this means for your move, connect with a real estate agent. As forecasts change, having an expert who can keep you updated is essential.

Are you thinking about selling your house? Some common mistakes today can make the process more stressful or even cost you money. Fortunately, they’re easy to avoid, as long as you know what to watch for. Let’s break down the biggest seller slip-ups, and how an agent helps you steer clear of them. 1. Overpricing Your House It’s completely natural to want top dollar for your house, especially if you’ve put a lot of work into it. But in today’s shifting market, pricing it too high can backfire. Investopedia explains: “Setting a list price too high could mean your home struggles to attract buyers and stays on the market for longer.” And your house sitting on the market for a long time could lead to price cuts that raise red flags. That’s why pricing your house right from the start matters. A great real estate agent will look at what other homes nearby have sold for, the condition of your house, and what’s happening in your market right now. That helps them find a price that’s more likely to bring in buyers, and maybe even more than one offer. 2. Spending Money on the Wrong Upgrades The housing market has nearly a half million more sellers than buyers according to Redfin. That means you have more competition as a seller and may have to do a bit more to get your house ready to sell. But not all projects are going to be worth it. If you spend money on the wrong projects, it could really cut into your profit. A local real estate pro knows what buyers in your area are really looking for, and they can help you figure out which projects are worth it, and which ones to skip. Even better, they’ll know how to highlight any upgrades you make in your listing, so your house stands out online and gets more attention. 3. Refusing To Negotiate Now that inventory has grown, it’s important to stay flexible. Buyers have more options – and with it comes more negotiating power. U.S. News explains: “If you’ve received an offer for your house that isn’t quite what you’d hoped it would be, expect to negotiate . . . make sure the buyer also feels like he or she benefits . . . consider offering to cover some of the buyer’s closing costs or agree to a credit for a minor repair the inspector found.” That’s where your agent comes in. They’ll help you understand what buyers are asking for, what’s normal in today’s market, and how to find a win-win solution. Sometimes making a small compromise can keep the deal moving and help you move on to your next chapter faster. 4. Skipping Research When Hiring an Agent All of these mistakes are avoidable with the help of a skilled agent. So, you want to be sure you're working with the right partner. Still, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 81% of sellers pick the first agent they talk to. Many homeowners may skip basic steps like reading reviews, checking sales history, and interviewing a few agents. But that’s a mistake. You want someone you know you can rely on – someone with a good track record. The right agent can help you price your house right, market it well, and sell it quickly (and maybe for more money). Bottom Line Selling a house doesn’t have to be stressful, especially if you have an experienced agent by your side. Connect with a local agent so you have an expert to help you avoid these common mistakes and make the most of your sale. What’s one thing you’d want expert advice on before putting your house on the market?