The Walker Webcast Ivy Zelman, EVP & Co-Founder of Zelman, a Walker & Dunlop Company
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Aug 21, 2025 
Ivy Zelman, EVP & Co-Founder of Zelman and a Hall of Fame housing market analyst, shares her insights on today’s housing landscape. She discusses the effects of tariffs and inflation on construction and home improvement, alongside rising interest rates and changing consumer trends. Ivy dives into the housing affordability crisis faced by young adults, the impact of immigration on labor availability, and the promising role of AI in enhancing efficiency within the industry. Her expert analysis sheds light on the evolving market and future challenges.
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Market Moves Reflect Fed Cut Hopes
- Stocks in housing sectors reflect rate-cut expectations more than current fundamentals.
- For-sale sectors rally because investors expect Fed cuts and lower long rates, while rentals lag on that view.
Scrutinize Rate Buy-Downs And Builder Costs
- Explore the impact of long-duration rate buy-downs on builder profitability before committing capital.
- Monitor incentives, labor, land and input-cost trends when assessing new-home economics.
Tariffs Hit Segments Unevenly
- Tariffs' inflationary impact varies across housing segments.
- Home improvement shows pass-through price pressure while new construction vendors are being forced to hold prices down.