HousingWire National Market Data

HousingWire and Altos Research track key market metrics to understand and anticipate the performance of the housing sector. Sparklines represent 90-day trends.

Mortgage Rates

Mortgage rates refer to the interest rates charged on a mortgage loan, which is used to finance the purchase of real estate. These rates can be fixed or variable. A fixed mortgage rate remains the same throughout the life of the loan, while a variable rate can fluctuate based on market conditions. Mortgage rates are influenced by various factors, including the borrower’s credit score, the loan term, the size of the down payment, and overall economic conditions.

Housing Inventory

Housing inventory refers to the total number of residential properties available for sale in a specific market at a given time. This inventory can include new construction, existing homes, and properties that are listed for sale and not yet under contract for sale. Housing inventory is a critical indicator of the real estate market’s health, influencing supply and demand dynamics, home prices, and the time it takes to sell a property. A low housing inventory typically suggests a seller’s market, where demand exceeds supply, while a high inventory indicates a buyer’s market, where supply exceeds demand.

Median List Price

The median list price is the midpoint price of all properties listed for sale in a particular market or area, meaning that half of the properties are priced above this value and half are priced below. It is a key metric used in real estate to gauge the market’s pricing trends. Unlike the average list price, which can be skewed by extremely high or low values, the median list price provides a more accurate reflection of the typical market price for homes. This figure is useful for buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals to assess the affordability and competitiveness of the housing market.

Average Days on Market (DOM)

Average Days on Market (DOM) is a real estate metric that measures the average number of days a property is listed for sale before it is sold or taken off the market. This statistic provides insight into the current market conditions and the demand for homes in a specific area. A lower average DOM indicates a seller’s market, where homes are selling quickly due to high demand, while a higher average DOM suggests a buyer’s market, where homes take longer to sell. Real estate professionals use this metric to set pricing strategies and to inform buyers and sellers about market trends.

Price Reductions

Price reductions refer to the decrease in the listed price of properties for sale. In the context of market analysis, this metric reflects the percentage of active listings that have reduced their asking price at least once from the original list price. The average dollar amount of these price reductions is tracked by Altos Research to provide further insights into pricing strategies and market trends.

Median Rent

Median rent refers to the midpoint asking rent price of all rental properties available in a specific market or area, expressed in dollars per month. This measurement indicates that half of the rental properties are priced above this value and half are priced below. It serves as an important indicator of the rental market’s overall health and affordability. Unlike the average rent, which can be skewed by exceptionally high or low values, median rent provides a more accurate representation of typical rental costs. This metric focuses solely on asking rents and does not account for signed leases or incentives, such as free months.

10-Year Yield

The 10-year yield refers to the return on investment, expressed as a percentage, for a U.S. Treasury bond with a maturity of ten years. This yield is a crucial benchmark for interest rates in the economy and is often used as an indicator of investor sentiment regarding future economic growth and inflation. A rising 10-year yield typically suggests increased investor confidence and expectations of economic growth, while a declining yield may indicate concerns about economic stability. The 10-year yield is the interest rate most directly correlated to mortgage interest rates. A rising 10-year yield typically indicates rising mortgage rates as well.