Top Agent Insights for End of Year 2024
The results indicate that first-time buyers will likely remain on the sidelines in 2025 and that home sellers looking to add value should start with the kitchen. As we look forward to the coming year, 45% of agents predict there will be mortgage interest rate cuts, despite industry forecasts suggesting otherwise. See full report
Top Agent Insights for End of Year 2023
The findings indicate that 2023 ushered in a peculiar housing market, forcing buyers, sellers, and agents to do things differently, but not everyone has adapted. Americans are struggling to navigate high interest rates, low inventory, rising home prices, and insurance rate hikes. Overpricing and under offering are the top seller and buyer missteps. Our survey also reveals what fence-sitting sellers are doing while they wait and what might entice hesitant buyers. See full report
Top Agent Insights for Summer 2023
The findings indicate that a drop in housing supply and elevated mortgage rates have suppressed the summer real estate market. Sales have significantly slowed overall, but bidding wars and cash offers are common on well-priced homes in top condition. From an inventory perspective, it remains a seller’s market in many areas. However, with heightened affordability restraints due to higher mortgage rates, buyers are acting with caution to avoid overspending. See full report
Top Agent Insights for Spring 2023
The findings indicate that the housing market has heated up since the fourth quarter due to buyer re-entry and the continuation of low inventory. However, the market remains much softer than recent years due to higher mortgage rates. Homes must be in top condition and accurately priced to sell. See full report
California Real Estate Insights for 2023
The findings of our first local insights report indicate that buyer demand in the state has been hyper-sensitive to interest rate increases over the past three to six months. While prices have cooled, low housing supply is acting as a counterbalance to prevent a free fall in home values. Additionally, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) continue to rise in popularity as a way to offset rising housing costs. The survey data also shows that buyers and sellers in California are becoming more cognizant of climate risk when deciding where to move. See full report
Top Agent Insights for New Year 2023
The results indicate a leveling playing field with challenges on both sides, as sellers see longer days on market and buyers deal with higher interest rates. While some homeowners turn to renovations to avoid selling, remote workers and retirees are targeting more affordable locations as inflation takes its toll. See full report
Top Agent Insights for Fall 2022
The results indicate that the seller’s market is cooling down with the return of contingencies and a decrease in buyer competition. Additionally, the rise of remote work has shifted home buying plans for remote workers, pricing out many teachers and service workers. Trends also point to steady challenges first-time homebuyers have with rising mortgage rates and that the custom of decluttering and renovating for additional home value yields returns in high-cost areas. See full report
Top Agent Insights for Summer 2022
The results indicate that despite higher mortgage rates, a seller’s market is still in effect. Trends also point to the effects economic inflation is having on renters, homeowners, and first-time homebuyers, and how it’s triggering untraditional home purchases in remote locations. See full report
Top Agent Insights for Spring 2022
The results indicate that the industry is waiting with ‘bated breath’ for more inventory as supply drops lower. Amid cost barriers, first-time buyers are turning to fixer-uppers and house-hacking while starter home quality declines. Meanwhile, homes with elbow room for RVs, boats, and pandemic ‘toys’ have spiked in demand. See full report
Top Agent Insights for New Year 2022
The results indicate that a low inventory housing market will continue to put pressure on homebuyers, along with rising mortgage rates. Trends also point to a rise in cash offers, created in part by relocations fueled by “The Great Resignation,” the ongoing trend of employees leaving their jobs voluntarily. See full report
Top Agent Insights 2022 Housing Market Overview
Listings that sold in minutes, bidding wars of epic proportions, buyer dreams crushed at yet another home lost to a cash buyer — 2021 was a record-breaking year for housing and one that will not be soon forgotten. As we flip the calendar toward another trip around the sun, HomeLight asked top real estate agents nationwide how they anticipate 2022 unfolding. Sell full report
Top Agent Insights for End of Year 2021
Real estate remains a hot seller’s market, but signs point to the opening of an escape valve after months of building pressure in housing. A combination of factors appear to be causing the shift, including buyer burnout and property values reaching their apex. See full report
Top Agent Insights for Summer / Fall 2021
“Insane. Crazy. Alarming. The Wild, Wild West.” These are the descriptors top real estate agents across the nation use to paint a picture of today’s housing market. It’s been over a year since low mortgage rates, remote work, and a surge in relocations started to fuel a real estate buying spree bigger than anyone could have predicted — and which America’s housing inventory could not possibly satisfy. See full report
Top Agent Insights for Spring 2021
With the exception of 2020, the arrival of spring and the first tastes of summer typically bring some much-needed levity. This year, that sunny-skies-ahead, brimming sense of hope feels amplified, if still hedged with caution. See full report
Top Agent Insights for Q4 2020
The pandemic-spurred housing boom of 2020 shows no signs of relenting in the New Year, putting increased strain on an already inventory depleted market. In spite of steep home price gains across the nation and rising coronavirus cases, low mortgage interest rates and remote work continue to drive relocations. See full report
Top Agent Insights for Q3 2020
As the U.S. economy trudges along the slow and bumpy road to recovery, the housing sector won’t be tamed in a quarter marked by flourishing home sales and soaring property values. See full report
Top Agent Insights for Q2 2020
Despite a challenging quarter shaped by a devastating public health crisis, the U.S. housing market has regained much of the strength it lost early in the spring, fueling hopes for a robust summer recovery. See full report
Top Agent Insights for Q1 2020
HomeLight polled around 600 top agents across the country immediately before and after the escalation of the U.S. coronavirus outbreak. Find out how their sentiment and outlook for the 2020 housing market has shifted in these unprecedented circumstances. See full report
Top Agent Insights for Q4 2019
Survey of 500 leading real estate agents dives into tips for selling homes in the winter, 2019 real estate reflections, and housing market predictions for 2020. See full report
Top Agent Insights for Q3 2019
Navigate a more balanced market, tackle seasonal projects around the house, and sell your home for more this fall. See full report
Top Agent Insights for Q2 2019
What’s happening with housing as the weather heats up, expert selling tips for the season, and how make the outside of your house attract buyers. See full report
Top Agent Insights for Q1 2019
We surveyed over 900 top agents in the industry identified for their outstanding performance, asked for their advice on selling homes and the current real estate market, and compiled their expertise into an easy-to-scan package just for homeowners. See full report