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HousingWire Daily

Logan Mohtashami: How to gauge spring housing demand

Jan 8, 2025
Logan Mohtashami, a lead analyst known for his sharp insights into housing markets, joins to unpack the latest jobs report and its implications for mortgage rates. He discusses how rising rates are reshaping spring housing demand and the behaviors of potential buyers. The conversation dives into the Federal Reserve's approach to labor market data and its effects on housing trends. Mohtashami emphasizes the need for real-time data to effectively navigate these market dynamics and the ongoing inventory challenges sellers face.
29:54

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The interplay between the labor market and housing demand is critical, particularly as the Fed maintains its tight policy until a significant labor shift occurs.
  • Despite high mortgage rates, demographic shifts and essential life changes may encourage buyers to enter the market, influencing housing activity this spring.

Deep dives

Impact of Labor Market on Housing Demand

The interaction between the labor market and housing demand is crucial, particularly as the Federal Reserve maintains a tight policy stance until a labor market downturn occurs. Analysts highlight a dynamic where job openings and wage growth show contrasting trends, with job openings firming up despite a decline in hires and rising concerns about the overall tightness of the labor market. This tension suggests a cautious approach from the Fed, which has historically reacted only when labor conditions worsen, thereby influencing housing demand. Consequently, the upcoming spring housing season will likely be shaped by these labor market conditions, alongside fluctuating mortgage rates.

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