Fed Rate Cut Likely as Housing Market Shifts-What You Need to Know

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Mortgage rates continue to edge down, now at an 11-month low, but the anticipation grows whether the Federal Reserve will cut rates.

Commercial Real Estate Market Shows Signs Of Recovery As Bid Intensity Increases

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Economic uncertainty led to a slowdown in the commercial real estate market earlier this year, but one indicator has finally ticked up. This suggests signs that capital is returning to the commercial real estate market, which may be a positive sign for investors. Although there is still uncertainty, investors may have reason to be optimistic going forward.

In July, real estate firm JLL’s Bid Intensity Index ticked up for the first time this year. The global Bid Intensity Index is a proprietary indicator that tracks competitiveness in the direct investment market. It combines three sub-indices — bid-ask spread, bids per deal and bid variability — derived from bid data.

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By combining bid data from multiple sub-indices, the Bid Intensity Index aims to provide forward-looking insights into the momentum and liquidity of capital markets.  The index provides insights into the market’s competitiveness before transaction volumes confirm the trends, JLL says

The Bid Intensity Index in July saw its first improvement since December. The firm says this indicates market-wide investment sales bidding activity is getting competitive again after a period of uncertainty.

At the beginning of 2025, the index eased due to more volatile bond markets, which affected underwriting. Additionally, uncertainty surrounding trade policy further softened the index. After months of uncertainty, the index is finally stabilizing, indicating an increase in market competitiveness.

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JLL provided a sector-by-sector breakdown in its report, illustrating how market dynamics impact various property types. The breakdown includes:

  • Retail: Bid intensity has improved since 2024, driven by strong competitiveness across most markets. Supply and demand are in balance, and consumer spending is strong.

South Korea’s ban on foreign homebuyers to cool Seoul prices, Chinese investments

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Hongkongers and mainland Chinese had acquired 96,955 properties in South Korea as of May, a 78.5 per cent increase from the 54,320 real estate assets that they owned in 2020, according to a report by The Chosun Daily, a local news outlet. It said these properties included residential units, commercial assets and parcels of land.

“We anticipate the ban will contribute to market cooling, price stabilisation, and improved access for local buyers – to some extent – as domestic buyers face strict mortgage caps, whereas foreign buyers often circumvent these through overseas financing,” said JoAnn Hong, senior director for research and consultancy at Savills Korea.

The measure, which took effect last month, marked the government’s latest effort to counter speculation in the housing market, as rising property prices have become a political liability for President Lee Jae-myung, who promised to ease living costs when he took office in June.

Before the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport rolled out the policy, which will remain in effect for one year, South Korea was the ninth most popular destination for Chinese property investors, according to data compiled by real estate broker Juwai IQI.

Since 2022, foreigners accounted for about a fifth of residential transactions in the middle and upscale home segments, particularly in the Seoul metropolitan area, Savills’ Hong said. This area includes the city of Incheon and Gyeonggi province.

It's a Buyer's Market in 7 Cities-What You Need to Know

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Seven U.S. metros, led by Miami, moved into the buyer’s market category based on their months of supply data during the summer.

FirstTeam expands; new teams at RE/MAX, Real, The Agency, CB

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Editor’s note: The brokerage business is a busy one, with frequent moves, mergers and milestones. Here we highlight some of the latest activity among brokerages across the U.S.

FirstTeam enters Washington state

Independent brokerage FirstTeam Real Estate announced this week that it has expanded into Washington state, opening a Seattle office led by former Compass sales manager Dori Glass. The new branch, branded as Six Degrees Team | FirstTeam Real Estate, will serve communities across the Greater Seattle region.

The expansion news from FirstTeam, which operates more than 52 offices with 2,300 agents, comes after the company announced its national growth strategy earlier this year. Additional offices are planned in Arizona, Nevada and Colorado, the company said. 

Glass, who has decades of experience in the Pacific Northwest market, said FirstTeam’s culture was a key factor in her decision to join. 

“From my very first conversations with FirstTeam’s leadership, I was struck by the company’s unwavering agent-first philosophy and its commitment to giving every individual a personalized path to success — values that mirror my own,” she said.

Michele Harrington, FirstTeam’s CEO, called the Seattle launch “a major milestone,” adding that Glass and her team’s local expertise “perfectly align with our values and vision.”

RE/MAX Advantage picks up Daytona Beach team

Nashville-based RE/MAX Advantage announced this week the affiliation of Team Zimmerman, based in the Daytona Beach area of Florida.

Led by husband and wife duo Rebecca and Eric Zimmerman, the 25-agent team has already worked with over 160 clients year-to-date, the company said. The move marks a strategic milestone in RE/MAX Advantage’s expansion into key markets, the brokerage’s corporate leadership said in the announcement.

“Team Zimmerman is a natural fit for our brand,” said Debra Beagle, CEO and co-owner of RE/MAX Advantage. “They lead with integrity, results, and relationship-based service — exactly what ‘Don’t Sell Without the Intel’ is all about. We’re thrilled to have them extend our footprint into Florida as we continue to grow.”

“We’re on a mission of growth and excited to expand our passion and expertise into Florida under the RE/MAX Advantage banner with the Zimmermans,” added Gary Ashton, founder of The Ashton Real Estate Group and co-owner of RE/MAX Advantage.

Real welcomes 15-agent Seattle team

The Real Brokerage announced this week that The Collective Group in Washington state has joined the firm.

Led by Tracy Erickson, the 15-agent Seattle-based team has closed $148 million in sales so far this year and has closed over 600 sales totaling $575 million since launching in 2020, according to a news release.

“Tracy and her team exemplify what we look for in team leaders,” Real Chairman and CEO Tamir Poleg said. He praised the group’s “incredible productivity, deep local expertise and commitment to mentoring and collaboration,” which “make them a perfect cultural fit” for the brokerage.

“Tracy has built a team that leads with heart and excellence, and we are honored to welcome them,” Poleg added.

Erickson, who brings 20 years of real estate experience, said the move follows a year of evaluating her options. “At Real, I found leaders willing to share their time without expecting anything in return and a culture of collaboration,” she said.

Luxury sales veterans join The Agency New York

The Agency New York has announced that John Carapella and Richard Herschenfeld, a top-producing real estate duo with more than $500 million in combined lifetime sales, have joined the brokerage.

The Carapella Herschenfeld Team, which is joining The Agency from Compass, has closed more than $87 million in sales so far in 2025. The team ranks in the top 1% in New York City and the top 1.5% nationally, according to a news release.

“John and Richard bring a remarkable track record and reputation for results that immediately strengthen our presence in New York,” a spokesperson for The Agency said. “Their move signals an important milestone in our growth strategy for this market.”

The Agency, which focuses on up-market and luxury homes, said the addition of the Carapella Herschenfeld Team underscores its continued push to attract elite agents and expand its footprint in competitive markets.

$1B Miami-Dade team joins Coldwell Banker

Coldwell Banker Realty announced this week that Oscar Arellano, a leading real estate sales professional in the Miami-Dade area, has joined its Coral Gables office along with his Oscar Arellano Team.

The group joins Coldwell Banker from Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices EWM Realty, a move that strengthens CB’s presence in South Florida’s competitive luxury housing market. Arellano brings more than two decades of experience and nearly $1 billion in career sales, the company said in a press release.

Arellano, who began working in real estate in 2003, is known for his client-first approach and extensive knowledge of luxury homes, waterfront properties and high-demand neighborhoods across Miami, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove and Palmetto Bay. In 2024, his team closed $100 million in sales, which the release said ranked it No. 2 among Berkshire Hathaway’s medium-sized teams.

“Oscar’s real estate knowledge, professionalism, and dedication to his clients make him an outstanding addition to our Coral Gables office,” Duff Rubin, regional president of Coldwell Banker Realty, Southeast, said in the announcement. “We’re thrilled to welcome the Oscar Arellano Team and look forward to supporting their continued growth and success.”



The Fed raises alarm over 'deterioration' in the US housing market — here's what that means for buyers (and why rate cuts may not be a silver bullet)

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Housing demand appears to have stalled.

Lowndes residential real estate market remains steady for August

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LOWNDES CO – The Georgia MLS for Lowndes County residential real estate market in August stays steady as the state sees fewer home sales.

Release:

The housing market has stayed relatively steady in 2025, even as Georgia overall saw fewer home sales compared to last year. Overall sales volume across the state is down by .15%, $31.698 billion compared to $31.727 billion last year or $46 million less. 

The average days on market (DOM) for ACTIVE listings is 70 days right now. The average DOM listings that have SOLD is 41 days. 

After a strong push into summer, activity has tapered off as inventory levels rise and interest rates hover around 6.5%. With the Fed expected to meet this month, even a small rate cut could spark late-year momentum.

For now, buyers have more leverage than in recent years: inventory is up, median sales prices are dipping, and homes are on the market longer—creating more room for negotiation.

https://www.gamls.com/statistics/marketsnapshot/county/lowndes

SOMA 🏡 Market Update

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Dear Friends, ​Mortgage rates just had their biggest one-day drop in over a year.They fell to the lowest they

Experts suggest looking at refinancing, entering housing market as interest rates drop

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Mortgage rate refinancing

The long-term average mortgage rate reached its lowest level in nearly a year, dropping from 6.5% to 6.35% on Thursday. The last time it was this low was in October of 2024.

The decrease comes as the housing market continues to be busy in the Twin Cities.

“It’s been more active this year than in years past,” said Jane Kahnke, a realtor and real estate agent with the Odd Couple Team. “I expect we’ll see a more active second half of the year based on this change.”

Interest rates for a 30-year fixed mortgage were close to 8% at the peak in 2023. There’s been a downward trend since then, with rates nearing 6% last September before climbing and dropping again.

“What I see when rates come down, prices go up, so if you’re buying, it makes sense to buy now and then refinance rather than waiting,” said Kahnke.

Some homeowners are currently considering refinancing rather than selling their property. The decision to do so involves a number of factors.

“It’s really a personal decision,” said David Jamison, the founder of Rainbow Mortgage.

He suggests people who bought a home in late 2022 or early 2023 look at refinancing.

“Those are the people that really need to reach out because they may be able to save a lot of money,” said Jamison, who said the cost of financing also should be considered. “If we can recoup the hard fees in 24 to 36 months, then I recommend that people look at it.”

The time a homeowner plans to spend in the house is also a factor.

“If you’re only going to stay in the house for one or two years, it’s probably not worth the money to do the refinance unless that amount of money is the difference between eating and getting gas to go to work, that sort of thing,” he said.

Jamison also warns about offers of free refinancing from mortgage lenders.

“People need to be really careful about that,” he said. “Because usually what happens is you’re not getting market rate. What they’re doing is they’re not charging you any cost, but what they’re doing, though, is they’re charging you a slightly higher rate to absorb all of those costs, so it’s not technically free.”

He suggests reaching out to a second lender to verify the rate being offered is market rate.

Increasing inventory, prices in Lakes Region real estate market | real estate

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We’re almost halfway through September, and a friend of mine indicated the leaves are already starting to turn up north. Looks like we have two months left for our fall selling season before the holidays begin.

I thought I would research what inventory is available for sale in the Lakes Region, to give you an idea on what is for sale. 

Personally, I’m finding more inventory, more price reductions, and longer days on the market. We are seeing the market drop from its record highs to a more manageable pace. However, Realtors I talk to indicate it’s a difficult market, hard to predict. Many properties are selling at close to the asking price if they are priced well. However, many properties are overpriced, and we are seeing longer days on the market with major price reductions. 

Let’s take a look at what is currently available for sale in several of our communities. 

Single-family homes

Laconia has 56 homes for sale with a median list price of $724,949 and average list price of $1.05 million. There’s been a median 43 days on the market and total list volume $50.95 million. 

Gilford has 37 homes for sale with a median list price of $1.07 million and average list price $1.62 million. There’s been a median 50 days on the market and total list volume $59.97 million.

Meredith has 47 homes for sale with a median list price of $950,000 and average list price $1.74 million. There’s been a median 79 days on the market and total list volume $82.01 million.

Center Harbor has four homes for sale with a median list price of $845,000 and average list price $2.57 million. There’s been a median 42 days on the market and total list volume $10.28 million. 

Wolfeboro has 39 homes for sale with a median list price of $899,000 and average list price $2.06 million. There’s been a median 44 days on the market and total list volume $80.40 million.

Moultonborough has 37 homes for sale with a median list price of $1.39 million and average list price $1.77 million. There’s been a median 48 days on market and total list volume $65.70 million. 

Alton has 43 homes for sale with a median list price of $699,000 and average list price $1.20 million. There’s been a median 53 days on the market and total list volume $51.67 million. 

Northfield has 21 homes for sale with a median list price of $379,000 and average list price of $472,183. There’s been a median 70 days on the market and total list volume $9.19 million. 

Tilton has two homes for sale with a median list price of $469,950 and average list price of $469,950. There’s been a median 26 days on the market and total list volume $939,900.

Gilmanton has 18 homes for sale with a median list price of $594,949 and average list price of $831,394. There’s been a median 47 days on the market and total list volume $14.96 million.

Belmont has 26 homes for sale with a median list price of $693,500 and average list price $1.39 million. There’s been a median 41 days on the market and total list volume $36.31 million. 

There are 48 waterfront homes for sale on Lake Winnipesaukee with a median list price of $3.95 million, average list price of $4.45 million, 89 median days on the market and total list volume of $213.90 million. There are only five properties priced under $2.1 million. 

Laconia has 57 condominiums for sale with a median list price of $589,900, average list price of $684,913, 112 median days on the market and total list volume of $39.04 million.

In addition to the 57 condos currently listed for sale, there are presently 27 condo sales that are shown as active under contract, and there are a number of new developments where all of the units have not been released for sale yet. Many new projects are in early stages of development. 

You can see from the stats above that inventory has been increasing in the Lakes Region; however, the average listing prices have accelerated, and sellers have to be cautious of not over-pricing their properties in a competitive market. 

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This article was written by Frank Roche, president of Roche Realty Group with offices in Meredith and Laconia, and can be reached at 603-279-7046. Visit rocherealty.com to learn more about the Lakes Region and its real estate market.