Your Money Minute Housing Market Thaw 1/30/26
Jan 30, 2026
Ryan Serhant, real estate broker and CEO known for high-profile sales and media commentary. He talks about a housing market thaw and returning buyers. Short-term mortgage rate drops and rising loan applications. Market activity picking up after a multi-year slump.
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Housing Slump Persisted Through 2025
- Existing home sales in 2025 matched 2024, marking four straight years of stagnation and the lowest sales since 1995.
- The market's long slump persisted despite recent short-term shifts in demand.
Rate Dip Sparks Buyer Interest
- Mortgage rates dipping below 6% to 5.99% in early January spurred a jump in mortgage applications.
- Short-term rate moves can quickly reactivate buyer interest even in a sluggish market.
Buyers Were Waiting, Not Gone
- The application spike likely reflects holiday returners, easing home prices, and more homes for sale.
- Demand can rebound from waiting buyers once conditions (price, inventory, rates) look favorable.