US Housing Market's Nuanced Cooling: Balancing Shortages and Localized Gluts cover art

US Housing Market's Nuanced Cooling: Balancing Shortages and Localized Gluts

US Housing Market's Nuanced Cooling: Balancing Shortages and Localized Gluts

Listen for free

View show details

About this listen

 In the past 48 hours, the US housing industry shows a cooling yet nuanced market, with persistent nationwide shortages clashing against localized gluts driving seller desperation. Delistings surged 28 percent year-over-year in September, hitting 85,000 homes as sellers pull listings rather than cut prices, per Redfin data accessed December 15, 2025[1]. Home prices fell in half of the top 20 metro areas per the latest Case-Shiller index, with Tampa down 4 percent and Phoenix 2 percent[1].

Builder sentiment offers a bright spot, with the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index rising to 39 in December 2025, an eight-month high from 38 last month, though still subdued[2]. Active listings climbed 12.6 percent from November 2024, signaling a more balanced market than last year[3]. Mortgage rates hold at 6.29 percent mid-December, minimally impacting prices despite forecasts of drops, as 135 years of data confirm rates predict sales volume but not price shifts[4].

In Sun Belt hotspots like Florida and Texas, builders like D.R. Horton counter soft demand by subsidizing rates to 0.99 percent and boosting agent commissions[1]. Austin exemplifies local pressures, with 14,178 listings on December 15, 57 percent price drops, 5.06 months inventory, and a $450,000 median price amid a 20.4 percent activity index[5].

Consumer behavior shifts toward caution, with 70 percent of listings stale over 60 days, empowering buyers to negotiate in cooling areas like Miami, where 7.8 percent of listings delisted[1]. Unlike pandemic frenzies, Northeast and Midwest metros now gain steadily, reverting from migration-driven booms[1]. Leaders respond by slashing rates and incentives, but long-term shortages of 4 million units persist, keeping affordability strained[1].

Compared to prior weeks, sentiment's uptick and rising inventory mark stabilization, yet price declines in ex-hotspots highlight geographic rotations over broad recovery.

For great deals today, check out https://amzn.to/44ci4hQ

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.