Grossman & Jones Real Estate Blog - real estate

"2025 could bring some relief to one major housing challenge. Here's what to expect in the new year."

Austin Business journal shares, "More rate volatility, more affordability challenges — but slightly more inventory.

Those are some of the predictions among housing economics for the 2025 for-sale housing market. Beset by continued home-price appreciation, scarce inventory and a mortgage lock-in effect — not to mention sweeping industrywide changes — buying and owning a home continues to be out of reach for many.

Here's what to expect in the U.S. housing market next year.

Inventory and home sales

The biggest potential for relief in 2025 could come from an uptick in inventory.

While many existing homeowners are carrying a mortgage rate of 4% or less, life events and a broader acceptance that rates likely won't drop down to those levels…

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"Here's a look at changes Austin made to development regulations in 2024"

Austin Business Journal shares, "It has been a year of change in Austin for regulations around homebuilding, with many new policies enacted that are meant to boost the supply of residences. 

They include new density bonus programs that enable developers to build taller buildings if they include affordable units, as well as modifications to rules governing lot sizes and how many homes can be built on them.

Here is a look at some of the changes enacted in Austin in 2024, in addition to proposals that the City Council may consider soon.

HOME Initiative 

One of the most debated undertakings was the implementation of the HOME Initiative, which altered the rules regarding how many homes can be built on single-family lots and also reduced the…

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"The Unsung Power Players of Real Estate: How Gen X Carves Up a Significant Slice of the Market"

Realtor.com writes, "The real estate market seems to be constantly buzzing about baby boomers, Millennials, and Gen Z, but what about Gen X?

Born between 1965 and 1982, Gen X is the smallest age cohort by population, but they’re no less mighty when it comes to the housing market.

As a sandwich generation wedged between Millennials and baby boomers, Gen Xers are increasingly stepping up to keep their parents and children afloat while redefining how we live, buy, and move in today’s real estate landscape.

How exactly?

Though Gen X accounts for just 19% of the U.S. population, a new National Association of Realtors® report reveals they represent 24% of recent homebuyers—a significant slice of the market. Around 60% of Gen Xers own their…

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"Prices still at record levels even as existing-home sales tick up"

Key takeaways

• Existing-home sales in October 2024 rose 3.4 percent from the previous month and 2.9 percent from a year ago, according to the National Association of Realtors — the metric’s first annual gain since 2021.
• The nationwide median sale price was $407,200, up 4 percent from last year and the highest October median on record.
• Inventory in October was at a 4.2-month supply — still tight, but a sign that buyers are gaining more bargaining power.

Bankrate.com writes, "The housing market suffered from sluggish sales again in October 2024, but sales volumes finally are looking up. And home prices remain near record highs, a new report by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows.

The median home-sale price marked the highest…

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"TikTok Financial Hacks: Which Money-Saving Technique Is Best for Saving To Buy a House?"

Realtor.com writes, "The internet is bursting with financial tips, tricks, and trends. TikTok, specifically, has tons of financial advice, with users sharing their success stories and posting about their favorite budgeting methods.

If you’ve been wanting to buy a house, you might see these money tactics and wonder if they could help you finally save up for that down payment.

Read on to learn about the most popular TikTok budgeting methods and trends—and what the experts say about which of these could help you become a homeowner.

The Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) method

The FIRE method is all about extreme savings and investment, with the goal of retiring early. The general idea has been around long before social media (FIRE…

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"Real Estate Is Still a Good Investment: See How It Stacks Up Against Other Assets, From Gold to Bitcoin"

Realtor.com shares, "High mortgage rates are making it more expensive to buy a home right now—but many experts still believe that real estate beats out other investment opportunities.

Despite that, many investors have been swept into the thrill of playing the markets or trying out new asset classes like art, cryptocurrency, classic cars, and even wine.

If all of these options leave your head a bit scrambled about where to put your money, you’re not alone.

Choosing an investment strategy requires considering your budget, time horizon, and risk appetite. It also depends on how much effort you’re willing to put into learning about the particular market.

Some areas of investment, like art, require specialized knowledge while others depend on…

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"Sales of Existing Homes Rise Annually for First Time in 3 Years"

Realtor.com reports, "Sales of previously owned homes rose in October following a brief dip in mortgage rates, and posted their first year-over-year gains since 2021.

Total existing-home sales increased 3.4% from September, to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.96 million last month, the National Association of Realtors® reported on Thursday. The October sales figure, which excludes new construction, represented a 2.6% gain from one year ago.

Median home prices continued to rise on an annual basis last month, increasing 4% from October 2023, to $407,200. It marked the 16th consecutive month of year-over-year price increases.

The annual gain in home sales was the first seen since July 2021. However, the year-over-year gain was boosted by…

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"Homebuyers can afford to be picky as Austin housing inventory rises"

CultureMap Austin shares, "The latest real estate report from Unlock MLS and the Austin Board of Realtors (ABoR) has revealed housing inventory is still on a steady rise in the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos MSA, creating more choices for potential homebuyers as they navigate a high interest rate market.

Residential home sales dipped by a mere 1.5 percent year-over-year from October 2023, amounting to 2,248 closed sales in the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos MSA. Median prices have also dropped to $430,000, or 3.2 percent less than this time last year. More than 3,300 new home listings were added on the market — a 7.4 percent increase from 2023 — bringing the total number of active home listings to 11,599.

According to Unlock MLS and ABoR housing…

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"New homebuilder joins Whisper Valley neighborhood"

Austin Business Journal reports, "A new homebuilder is working in one of East Austin’s most technologically advanced housing developments.

Denver-based Richmond American Homes will build 121 homes in the 2,067-acre Whisper Valley development, according to an announcement. The homebuilder is active in 16 states, according to its website, and joins several Central Texas homebuilders and one international builder already active in Whisper Valley, which has been an epicenter for innovation in sustainable housing in Central Texas.

Richmond American will build 21 homes in the current, fourth phase of development in Whisper Valley, and 100 more in the next phase. The new homes will be available in three- to five-bedroom floor plans ranging from 1,950…

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"New affordable housing complex in Austin has rentals starting at $600"

CultureMap Austin shares, "A new affordable housing complex is now open in South Austin.

Parker Lane Apartments officially opened on the morning of Saturday, November 16, and is now accepting applications.

Nonprofit Foundation Communities said its goal is to bring more affordable housing for families to the city.

Rent prices start as low as $600 and are income-based. On top of an affordable apartment, the community also offers sustainable green features and on-site services such as a healthy food pantry and a no-cost learning center for after-school and summer programs.

"The on-site learning center is primarily for residents but also open to the public. It is a no-cost service to residents that will take away the pressure and the stress…

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