Foreclosure activity in the U.S. is experiencing a rise in 2025, with October marking the eighth consecutive month of annual increases. According to ATTOM, there were 36,766 foreclosure filings in October, a 19% jump year-over-year, though still remaining low compared to historical levels. Experts suggest this increase reflects a normalization of foreclosure volumes as market conditions adjust, but overall risk remains low due to factors like low-interest mortgages and the positive equity of most homeowners. While states like Florida are seeing the worst foreclosure rates, there is no indication of a crisis.
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Home Depot announced that it would have to raise some prices due to tariffs on imported goods. The company’s CFO stated that while these price increases would be modest and not across all categories, they are a direct result of the Trump administration’s import taxes. Although sales increased, net income slipped, and the company anticipates a 2% decrease in full-year earnings per share due to economic uncertainty and high interest rates discouraging large home renovation projects. Home Depot executives remain optimistic that these large projects will resume in the future, driving improved financial results.
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Younger generations are finding it increasingly difficult to enter the housing market due to high mortgage rates and elevated home prices. Data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) indicates that in 2024, older baby boomers and individuals aged 60 and over purchased a significantly larger share of homes compared to millennials and Gen Z. The median age of first-time home buyers has risen to a record high of 38 years old. While the American dream of homeownership seems out of reach for younger generations, experts predict that they will eventually break into the market, although the timing and financial implications remain uncertain.
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Real estate investors are increasing their share of U.S. home purchases, with nearly 27% of homes sold in the first quarter of the year going to investors, the highest in at least five years. This increase reflects a broader slowdown in the housing market, as rising prices and high borrowing costs deter traditional buyers. Investors purchased 265,000 homes during this period, a modest increase from the previous year, and are able to do so by utilizing cash or existing home equity. While mom-and-pop investors dominate the market, there are signs large institutional investors are scaling back purchases.
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Thirty-year fixed mortgage rates jumped to 7.1%, a mid-February high, driven by fluctuating bond yields influenced by tariff changes and a cooler-than-expected inflation report. This surge follows a volatile week for bonds, marking potentially the worst week for 10-year yields since 1981, coinciding with a significant drop in consumer sentiment. The increased rates, coupled with economic uncertainty, negatively impact the crucial spring housing market and consumer confidence. Experts predict weakened housing activity as a result of these factors.
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In a move mirroring the Opposition’s stance, the Federal Labor government will temporarily ban foreign investment in established Australian homes for two years, commencing April 1, 2024. This moratorium, exempting developments of 20 or more properties, aims to address concerns about housing affordability for Australians. The ban follows a year where foreign investors purchased 5360 residential properties totaling $4.9 billion. The government asserts this policy prioritizes homeownership for young Australians, despite the relatively small scale of foreign investment in established housing.
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John Q. Hosedrinker