Top of Mind

Sean Dobson, Chairman, CEO, and CIO of Amherst, shares his insights on the single-family rental market, drawing from his 30+ years of experience. He discusses the shift from individual investors to institutional players and its impact on housing dynamics. The conversation dives into the affordability crisis, emphasizing affordable rental options and innovative solutions. Sean also highlights the influence of mortgage markets and federal policies on housing accessibility, while exploring trends affecting home prices and evolving investment behaviors.

Welcome to How’s the Market, our weekly look at what’s happening in the US housing market, powered by data from Altos. If you want to see all the inventory, pricing, and supply and demand charts we reference in the show, head on over to our YouTube channel at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/altosresearch⁠⁠⁠⁠. Hosted by Mike Simonsen, President of Altos. A true data geek, Mike founded Altos in 2006 to bring data and insight on the U.S. housing market to those who need it most. Altos provides national and local real estate data to financial institutions, real estate professionals, and investors across the country, and the company is now part of HW Media, publisher of HousingWire and RealTrends. Mike uses Altos data to identify trends in the real estate market well before the headlines, and his work has been featured in the New York Times, The Atlantic, Fortune, Forbes and other publications. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The latest insights reveal a mixed bag in the U.S. housing market. May 2025 shows a slight rise in home sales, despite rising mortgage rates and ongoing affordability challenges. The analysis digs into trends around pending home sales and inventory levels, painting a complex picture of a market in flux. Tune in for a data-driven exploration of what’s really happening in real estate right now!

Dr. Arpit Gupta, a finance professor at NYU Stern, dives deep into the housing affordability crisis. He reveals how local regulations can hinder access to affordable homes and discusses surprising truths about property taxes affecting young families. Gupta sheds light on why Texas housing is more affordable than California's despite high demand. He also explores how remote work is reshaping urban living and the role of home equity during economic downturns. This conversation uncovers vital insights into navigating the complexities of the housing market.

The podcast reveals a steep decline in home sales and prices at the end of April 2025, ending a two-year growth streak. It dives into the influence of rising mortgage rates and hints at a possible surge in transactions as the peak season approaches. Additionally, discussions highlight rising inventory and the crucial impact of new listings, underscoring how buyer activity is slowing down. Tune in for key insights that could shape the future of the housing market!

Pending home sales have dipped, influenced by the Easter holiday, marking the first decline below 2024 levels in six weeks. Mortgage rate sensitivity among buyers is a key factor, but predictions point to a rebound in sales by May. The housing market shows rising unsold single-family homes and a decrease in demand for new listings. Despite these challenges, median home prices have remained stable over the past three years, though price reductions have become more common due to sluggish sales.

The podcast dives into the current trends shaping the U.S. housing market. It highlights the unexpected rise in April home sales compared to last year. Listeners learn about unsold homes and regional discrepancies in the market. The discussion also touches on mortgage rates and pending home sales, offering insights that are crucial for homebuyers and real estate professionals. An upcoming webinar is promoted for those wanting deeper analysis of real estate data.

Welcome to How’s the Market, our weekly look at what’s happening in the US housing market, powered by data from Altos.If you want to see all the inventory, pricing, and supply and demand charts we reference in the show, head on over to our YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/altosresearch.Hosted by Mike Simonsen, President of Altos. A true data geek, Mike founded Altos in 2006 to bring data and insight on the U.S. housing market to those who need it most. Altos provides national and local real estate data to financial institutions, real estate professionals, and investors across the country, and the company is now part of HW Media, publisher of HousingWire and RealTrends. Mike uses Altos data to identify trends in the real estate market well before the headlines, and his work has been featured in the New York Times, The Atlantic, Fortune, Forbes and other publications. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clayton Collins, CEO of HW Media and publisher of HousingWire, drives the conversation on the evolving landscape of housing and real estate. He unpacks the transformative potential of HousingWire Data, emphasizing its role in empowering industry professionals. Collins outlines three major trends shaping 2025: increased mergers, fresh capital influx, and consumer engagement. The discussion also highlights the influence of key leaders like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and the impact of tech advancements on mortgage processes and industry growth.

Explore how global financial uncertainties are reshaping the U.S. housing market. Discover the impact of fluctuating mortgage rates and rising recession fears on buyer demand. The discussion emphasizes the importance of real-time data to grasp shifting trends. Gain insights on what these conditions mean for future market dynamics, setting the stage for a deeper dive in an upcoming webinar.