Indicators of homebuying demand and activity Value (if applicable) Recent change Year-over-year change Source Daily average 30-year fixed mortgage rate 7.07% (Jan. 2) Down from 7.14% 2 weeks earlier Up from 6.7% Mortgage News Daily  Weekly average 30-year fixed mortgage rate 6.91% (week ending Jan. 2) Highest level since July  Up from 6.61% Freddie Mac Mortgage-purchase applications (seasonally adjusted) Down 13%  from 2 weeks earlier (as of 2 weeks ending Dec. 27) Down 17% Mortgage Bankers Association  Redfin Homebuyer Demand Index (seasonally adjusted) Essentially unchanged  from a month earlier (as of week ending Dec. 29) Down 1% Redfin Homebuyer Demand Index a measure of tours and other homebuying services from Redfin agents Touring activity Down 52% from the start of the year (as of Dec. 28) At this time last year, it was down 55% from the start of 2023 ShowingTime, a home touring technology company Google searches for “home …

The Visual Capitalist says the composition of American households has shifted significantly since 1960 as fewer people have kids and the scale of economic resources has declined.  In fact, they point out that the number of households without kids now exceeds those with kids.  And, in 1960, the share of U.S. households that consisted of married parents was 44.2% – which since has dropped in half.  Indeed…Today’s graphic illustrates (using Census data) how U.S. households have changed from 1960 to 2023.   Stay safe and have a Happy Friday!!! Hat tip tip to the Visual Capitalist.   The post How U.S. Households Have Changed 1960-2023 appeared first on Real Estate Investing Today.

According to Yardi’s U.S. Multifamily Outlook for Winter 2025, the multifamily market enters 2025 in good shape, after several years of strong demand in most markets and expectations that interest rates are likely to decline. They say the economy continues to grow, the employment picture remains solid despite some cooling, and consumers are spending in line with high confidence levels.  Their new report offers an outlook for the year ahead. The market faces questions, however, including the impact of potential economic policy changes, how long it will take to absorb deliveries in high-growth Sun Belt markets, and whether interest rates will fall enough to revive transactions and avoid distress. Click here to read the full report at Yardi.   The post Yardi’s Multifamily Outlook for 2025 appeared first on Real Estate Investing Today.

Revisiting the Fundamentals By Jeffery S. Watson Recently, I was privileged to sit in a room at a REIA meeting with three legends in the residential real estate investing space.  Each of these men has educated thousands of individuals on smart, savvy, safe, and effective ways to be residential real estate investors.  Their presence made an important point:  In an economy and real estate market that is going through a significant transformation, it’s important to go back to the fundamentals.  Here are some basic things that are important for any real estate investor to remember. You become like those with whom you frequently associate. Look at the people with whom you most frequently interact.  Are they going where you’re going?  Are they further ahead, or are they holding you back?  To answer those questions, you must be clear in your own mind (and hopefully, you’ve put it in writing) as …