Recent Posts by Odeta Kushi

Where New Listings Grow, Sales Flow
By
Odeta Kushi on August 20, 2025
Key Points: National sales remain weak despite rising inventory, highlighting the importance of distinguishing between active listings and new listings. Across the top 75 markets, sales are strongly correlated with the flow of new listings. The outlook for new listings growth—and thus sales—will hinge on the tension between the mortgage rate ...
Read More ›
Housing Market Turning Point: Setting the Stage for a New Real Estate Cycle
By
Odeta Kushi on August 8, 2025
Key Points: Affordability is likely to improve by year end, but will remain historically constrained. Higher inventory levels in Southern and Western markets will put more downward pressure on prices, moving these markets towards more buyer-friendly conditions. Existing-home sales will be driven by “life happens” events, but will remain limited by ...
Read More ›
It's a No-Bust Scenario for National House Prices
By
Odeta Kushi on August 1, 2025
Key Points: Preliminary data from June and July indicate that affordability on an annual basis has improved for six consecutive months. Despite slowing price growth nationally, national house prices are unlikely to experience a significant and sustained decline. Tighter lending standards, stronger credit quality, significant equity cushions and a ...
Read More ›
What Does the Lingering Slump in Existing-Home Sales Mean for the Broader Economy?
By
Odeta Kushi on July 18, 2025
Key Points: Existing-home sales are hovering just above 4 million annualized sales, far below pre-pandemic levels. Housing contributes to GDP via new construction and ongoing housing services, totaling 16 percent of GDP last quarter. Fewer home sales curbs spending on everything from sofas to remodeling services, acting as a drag on broader ...
Read More ›
It’s a Renter’s Market, But Not Everywhere
By
Odeta Kushi on July 16, 2025
Key Points: Renting is currently more affordable than owning in most major markets, even after adjusting for equity gains. The decision to rent or buy isn’t just financial – it’s also about flexibility versus stability, and lifestyle needs. Local conditions vary widely, and in some markets, modest appreciation still tips the scales in favor of ...
Read More ›
Incentives, Inventory, and the Tale of Two Housing Markets
By
Odeta Kushi on June 20, 2025
Key Points: The existing-home share of total sales fell to the lowest level since 2005. The price of the median new home is lower than the price of a median existing home. While the new-home market has outperformed the existing-home market, headwinds may slow the momentum. Existing-home sales transactions continue to languish, around the 4 million ...
Read More ›