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Story: Spring Housing Market Faces Inflation Headwinds

By Julie Binoche

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The spring homebuying season kicks off with mixed signals as inflation worries cast shadows over what's traditionally the busiest time for real estate transactions.

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Interest rates keep climbing, and that's making everything harder for potential homeowners. The Federal Reserve bumped rates up another 25 basis points last week - the third hike…

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Monday's report from the National Association of Realtors showed pending home sales rose 2% in February, which sounds good on paper but doesn't really capture how cautious…

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Inflation is hitting households hard everywhere you look. The Consumer Price Index jumped 6.

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Some places are doing better than others, though. Midwest markets like Chicago and Minneapolis are seeing steady demand, with agents reporting consistent activity even as…

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San Francisco and Los Angeles are seeing fewer listings and declining sales as buyers get scared off by high prices and rising rates.

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The job market isn't helping either. February's unemployment rate came in at 4.1%, slightly higher than economists expected, and wage growth remains sluggish.

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First-time buyers are getting hit the hardest. Student debt burdens and sky-high home prices are keeping young families out of the market completely.

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Builders aren't feeling optimistic either. New housing starts fell 5% in February as supply chain problems and material costs continue causing headaches.

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The National Association of Home Builders reported builder confidence dropped to its lowest level since early 2025.

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Banks are getting more careful too. Wells Fargo announced tighter lending standards in early March, responding to all the economic volatility swirling around.

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Freddie Mac's latest survey shows the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate climbed to 5.75% as of March 7. That's a huge jump from last year's 4.

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Realtors in Northeast cities like Boston and Philadelphia are seeing more cash offers as buyers try to avoid high mortgage costs.

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Real estate investors are getting mixed signals from the market. Some are taking advantage of less competition, while others are staying on the sidelines waiting to see what…

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Lawrence Yun from the National Association of Realtors recently said economic stability is crucial for any housing market recovery.

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