Redfin Reports Pending Home Sales Decline in All But 5 Major U.S. Metros
MWN-AI** Summary
According to a recent report from Redfin, pending home sales in the United States declined by 5.1% year-over-year during the four weeks ending February 8, marking the largest drop in over a year. This downturn was observed across nearly all of the 50 most populous U.S. metro areas, with only West Palm Beach, Jacksonville, Columbus, and Chicago experiencing increases in pending sales. Notably, Oakland, CA saw a significant drop of 21.6%, while Minneapolis followed closely with a decline of 17.5%.
The typical home is taking longer to sell, with homes averaging 66 days on the market—the longest waiting period in seven years. Additionally, there is a 5.5-month supply of homes available for sale, suggesting a shift toward a buyer’s market. Potential buyers appear hesitant, facing high housing costs and elevated mortgage rates that, despite recent decreases, remain significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels. Contributing to this reluctance are concerns over job security and adverse weather conditions affecting home tours.
Despite these challenges, there are signs of renewed buyer interest, as the median monthly housing payment has decreased by 3.8% year-over-year, while wages have risen about 4%, improving affordability. Redfin agents report increasing home tour activity, with some buyers negotiating below asking prices—a reflection of favorable conditions for buyers.
While it's currently a buyer's market, experts caution that this may not last. Factors like lower seller pricing and rising rent costs could intensify competition soon. Overall, the housing market shows signs of cooling, but strategic buyers might still find opportunities amid the shifts. For further insights into the evolving housing landscape, Redfin's reports can provide deeper analysis.
MWN-AI** Analysis
The recent Redfin report indicates a significant decline in pending home sales across nearly all major U.S. metro areas, with only a few markets escaping this trend. As a financial analyst, it's essential to interpret what this means for both buyers and sellers in the current housing market landscape.
Firstly, the overall decline in pending home sales—down 5.1% year-over-year, the most considerable drop in a year—signals a cooling in buyer demand. Increased buyer hesitancy is attributed to elevated housing costs, with the median sale price rising 1.2% year-over-year alongside persistent mortgage rates around 6%. Furthermore, concerns about job security coupled with weather disruptions have contributed to this slowdown.
However, on the other hand, this may represent opportunities for savvy buyers. With homes taking an average of 66 days to sell—the longest in seven years—there is more negotiating power available to buyers, especially since many properties are listed below asking price. This trend indicates that sellers may be more willing to negotiate as the market favors buyers in the current climate.
For potential homebuyers, the message is clear: act strategically. Although competition may increase as the spring selling season approaches, now is the time to capitalize on the relative buyer's market. Buyers should prioritize securing properties with advantageous financing options while negotiating deals, as housing payments are down 3.8% year-over-year.
For sellers, reevaluating pricing strategies may be prudent. With a rise in inventory and pending sales down across nearly all metros, pricing homes competitively will be crucial to attract buyers.
In conclusion, while the market shows signs of hesitation, both buyers and sellers can find advantageous positions by adapting their strategies to current economic indicators.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
The typical home that sells takes 66 days to do so—the longest span in seven years—as buyers take their time looking at their options and negotiating with sellers
U.S. pending home sales fell 5.1% year over year during the four weeks ending February 8, the biggest decline in over a year. That’s according to a new report from Redfin , the real estate brokerage powered by Rocket.
On a local level, pending sales dropped in all but five of the 50 most populous U.S. metro areas — the most in over two years. The only metros where pending sales increased were West Palm Beach, FL (9.1%), Jacksonville, FL (7.7%), Columbus, OH (1.4%) and Chicago (0.1%). They were flat in Austin, TX.
The biggest declines were in Oakland, CA, where pending sales dropped 21.6% year over year, and Minneapolis (-17.5%). This separate Redfin report delves into why homebuying demand is slow in Minneapolis.
Homes are also taking a long time to sell. The typical U.S. home that sold took 66 days to go under contract, a week longer than a year earlier and the longest span since early 2019. There are 5.5 months of supply, the most in seven years. Months of supply is the length of time it would take for homes for sale to be bought at the market’s current pace of sales; a higher number indicates more of a buyer’s market.
Would-be buyers are hesitant partly because housing costs are high. The median sale price is up 1.2% year over year, and while mortgage rates have come down from their peak, they’re still double pandemic-era lows. Additionally, some house hunters are backing off amid concerns about job security, and in certain parts of the country, they stayed home in recent weeks due to severe winter weather.
There are also slightly fewer homes to choose from. New listings fell 1.8% year over year, and the total number of homes for sale dropped about 1%, the first decline since 2023.
There are bright spots in the housing market: Buyers have power, and housing payments are declining. Even though new listings are coming down, there are still hundreds of thousands more home sellers than buyers in the market, giving the buyers who are out there an edge in negotiations. Some buyers are able to get homes for under asking price . And while costs are still high, the median monthly housing payment is down 3.8% year over year while wages are up roughly 4%, improving affordability . Redfin agents in several parts of the country say home tours are picking up and house hunters are getting more serious, even if the increased interest isn’t yet showing up in the data.
“It’s still a buyer’s market, but it might not be for long,” said Sue Dhillon , a Redfin Premier agent in Seattle . “House hunters are getting a jump start on the spring selling season because they’re doing the math and realizing that a few things are working in their favor: Sellers are pricing lower, mortgage rates have come down slightly and aren’t likely to drop further any time soon, and rents just keep climbing. If buyers wait any longer, competition is likely to pick up.”
For Redfin economists’ takes on the housing market, please visit Redfin’s “ From Our Economists ” page.
Leading indicators
Indicators of homebuying demand and activity | ||||
Value (if applicable) | Recent change | Year-over-year change | Source | |
Daily average 30-year fixed mortgage rate | 6.14% (Feb. 11) | Up from 3-year low roughly a month ago | Down from 7.01% | Mortgage News Daily |
Weekly average 30-year fixed mortgage rate | 6.11% (week ending Feb. 5) | Near lowest level in 3 years | Down from 6.89% | Freddie Mac |
Mortgage-purchase applications (seasonally adjusted) | Down 2% from a week earlier (as of week ending Feb. 6) | Up 4% | Mortgage Bankers Association | |
Redfin Homebuyer Demand Index (seasonally adjusted) | Down about 6% from a month earlier (as of week ending Feb. 8) | Down 16% | A measure of tours and other homebuying services from Redfin agents | |
Google searches of “homes for sale” | Down about 14% from a month earlier (as of Feb. 10) | Down about 5% | Google Trends | |
Touring activity | Up 1% from the start of the year (as of Feb. 10) | At this time last year, it was up 14.1% from the start of 2025 | ShowingTime |
Key housing-market data
U.S. highlights: Four weeks ending Feb. 8, 2025 Redfin’s national metrics include data from 400+ U.S. metro areas and are based on homes listed and/or sold during the period. Weekly housing-market data goes back through 2015. Subject to revision. | |||
Four weeks ending Feb. 8, 2025 | Year-over-year change | Notes | |
Median sale price | $378,725 | 1.2% | |
Median asking price | $408,725 | 2.3% | |
Median monthly mortgage payment | $2,580 at a 6.11% mortgage rate | -3.8% | |
Pending sales | 69,060 | -5.1% | Biggest decline since Jan. 2025 |
New listings | 78,634 | -1.8% | |
Active listings | 994,257 | -0.8% | First decline since Dec. 2023 |
Months of supply | 5.5 | +0.3 pts. | 4 to 5 months of supply is considered balanced, with a lower number indicating seller’s market conditions |
Share of homes off market in two weeks | 30% | Unchanged | |
Median days on market | 66 | +7 days | Longest in 6 years |
Share of homes sold above list price | 19% | Down from 20% | |
Average sale-to-list price ratio | 97.7% | Unchanged |
Metro-level highlights: Four weeks ending Feb. 8, 2025 Redfin’s metro-level data includes the 50 most populous U.S. metros. Select metros may be excluded from time to time to ensure data accuracy. | |||
Metros with biggest year-over-year increases | Metros with biggest year-over-year decreases | Notes | |
Median sale price | Milwaukee (10.9%) Providence, RI (8.2%) Philadelphia (7.8%) Cleveland (7.7%) Warren, MI (6.3%) | Fort Lauderdale, FL (-6.4%) Austin, TX (-4.3%) Jacksonville, FL (-3.9%) San Antonio (-3.5%) San Jose, CA (-3.4%) | Declined in 19 metros |
Pending sales | West Palm Beach, FL (9.1%) Jacksonville, FL (7.7%) Columbus, OH (1.4%) Chicago (0.1%) | Oakland, CA (-21.6%) Minneapolis (-17.5%) Houston (-17.3%) Nashville, TN (-16.4%) Warren, MI (-15.4%) | Increased in 4 metros; the last time pending sales increased in 4 or fewer regions was the end of 2023 |
New listings | San Jose, CA (24.3%) Phoenix (11.4%) Montgomery County, PA (9.5%) Denver (8.4%) Detroit (7.4%) | Nashville, TN (-19.5%) Nassau County, NY (-15.7%) Dallas (-13.9%) Indianapolis (-13.2%) San Antonio (-11.7%) |
To view the full report, including charts, please visit:
https://www.redfin.com/news/housing-market-update-pending-home-sales-decline-most-metros
About Redfin
Redfin is a technology-driven real estate company with the country's most-visited real estate brokerage website. As part of Rocket Companies (NYSE: RKT), Redfin is creating an integrated homeownership platform from search to close to make the dream of homeownership more affordable and accessible for everyone. Redfin’s clients can see homes first with on-demand tours, easily apply for a home loan with Rocket Mortgage, and save thousands in fees while working with a top local agent.
You can find more information about Redfin and get the latest housing market data and research at https://www.redfin.com/news . For more information about Rocket Companies, visit https://www.rocketcompanies.com .
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260212872854/en/
Contact Redfin Journalist Services:
Tana Kelley
press@redfin.com
FAQ**
How is the recent decline in pending home sales affecting Rocket Companies Inc. Class A RKT's growth prospects and market positioning in the real estate sector?
2. Given the increase in the typical home sale time to 66 days, what strategies is Rocket Companies Inc. Class A RKT implementing to attract buyers in this slower market?
3. How does the current median sale price of homes compare to Rocket Companies Inc. Class A RKT's pricing strategies, and how might this impact their competitive edge?
4. In light of the current housing market trends, what initiatives is Rocket Companies Inc. Class A RKT planning to enhance buyer engagement and capitalize on the buyer's market?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Rocket Companies Inc. Class A (NYSE: RKT).
NASDAQ: RKT
RKT Trading
-1.12% G/L:
$14.045 Last:
8,701,064 Volume:
$14.115 Open:
