Altos Founder Mike Simonsen on the latest housing market trends
Feb 3, 2025
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This week features Mike Simonsen, Founder of Altos Research, a leading source for housing market data. He shares an intriguing 2025 forecast predicting a slight increase in home sales and prices, yet highlights persistent affordability challenges. Simonsen also discusses the pivotal role of immigrant labor in the construction industry and how tariffs might spike building costs. With a possible dip in mortgage rates on the horizon, the conversation reveals the complex dynamics shaping today’s housing market.
Home sales are expected to rise slightly to 4.2 million by 2025, facing challenges from fluctuating mortgage rates and affordability issues.
The reliance on immigrant labor in construction and potential tariffs on materials could significantly impact housing market dynamics and affordability.
Deep dives
Forecast for Home Sales in 2025
Home sales are expected to grow modestly by 5% in 2025, increasing from about 4 million to 4.2 million transactions. The market has experienced a significant drop in home sales from 6 million annually to 4 million due to rising rates that have persisted since the pandemic. Although the forecast suggests growth, recent data indicates a 10% decrease in pending home sales compared to the previous year, raising concerns about whether the anticipated sales volume will materialize. Ongoing fluctuations in mortgage rates may necessitate a reevaluation of this growth forecast in the coming months.
Anticipated Home Price Trends
Nationally, home prices are projected to increase by 3.5% in 2025, which reflects an underperformance compared to the historical norm of a 5% gain. This modest growth is attributed to affordability challenges stemming from high home prices and elevated mortgage rates, which are unlikely to drop significantly in the near term. The current market shows home prices are nearly flat, with some areas even experiencing declines, suggesting an enduring affordability crisis. Some forecasters believe the prices could drop significantly due to these challenges, while others remain cautious, maintaining that prices might stabilize rather than fall.
The Influence of Affordability and Immigration Policies
Affordability remains a central issue in the housing market, highlighted by the recognition of the need for increased housing supply to mitigate costs. Recent executive orders indicate acknowledgment of the affordability crisis, yet the localization of control complicates potential solutions. Concerns have been raised about how immigration policies may negatively impact the construction workforce, as many laborers in this sector are immigrants. Heightened tariffs on building materials further threaten to escalate construction costs, potentially exacerbating the affordability problem in the market.
This week on the RealTrending podcast, Tracey sits down with Mike Simonsen, founder of Altos, to discuss his 2025 housing forecast, including home prices, mortgage rates, and affordability.
He also talks about what changes he anticipates with the Trump administration, covers the role of immigration and labor in construction, and talks about how tariffs could affect market dynamics.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
Home sales are forecasted to increase slightly to 4.2 million, and home prices to increase by 3.5%.
Affordability remains a critical challenge in the housing market.
The construction industry heavily relies on immigrant labor.
Tariffs could significantly increase building costs.
There is a potential for rates to dip under 6% if conditions align.
The RealTrending podcast features conversations with the brightest minds in real estate. Every Monday, brokerage leaders, top agents, team leaders, and industry experts join us to share their secrets to success, trends, and the lessons they’ve learned. Hosted by Tracey Velt and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio.