Today's Market News:
Buyers Scored Discounts in 2025
A recent market analysis by Redfin found that almost two-thirds of last year's home buyers received listing price discounts last year. This adds up the highest share since 2019.
The typical buyer who scored a home for below the list price in 2025 got a 7.9% discount, while 25% of buyers snagged 10% or more off their new home's list price.
Condo buyers received an average 8.1% discount, which was higher than discounts for single-family properties and townhomes. Demand for the condo lifestyle has fallen, because HOA fees and insurance costs have been soaring. This contributed to Florida condo buyers getting some of the biggest discounts in the nation.
In West Palm Beach, Florida, the typical homebuyer got a 10.9% discount — the largest among the 50 biggest U.S. metro areas. Other cities where sellers offered big discounts included Detroit (10.3%), followed by Fort Lauderdale (10.3%), Pittsburgh (9.9%) and Miami (9.8%).
There were only four metros where the typical homebuyer paid more than the asking price. In San Francisco, California, the typical homebuyer paid 3.8% above the asking price — the biggest premium in the nation. The other three metros were Newark, New Jersey (3.1%), San Jose, California (2.3%) and Oakland, California (1.3%).1
Why You Need to be Chatty on Instagram
You've probably already discovered that your Instagram posts get more attention when you stick to a consistent posting schedule. However, it's equally important to reply to all of the comments left by your Instagram fans and followers. Here's why: recent data found that Instagrammers who reply to comments are rewarded with 21% more engagement.
Data scientist Julian Winternheimer recently analyzed over 700,000 Instagram posts from nearly 68,000 accounts. Julian found that when creators engage with comments, their posts perform better with followers and new visitors.
Being social on your social media can reward you in more ways. One Instagram algorithm reacts favorably to posts that spark discussion. It's likely that your own replies count toward this, too. Another algorithm notices how quickly you post responses. Faster replies can encourage added engagement.
These findings were part of a larger study, which found positive effects within other social media when creators engaged with followers. Chatty posters on Threads saw 42% more engagement, and LinkedIn users who responded to comments saw 30% more.2
Home Ownership Rates Inching Up
During the last quarter of 2025, home ownership rates in the U.S. rose to 65.7%, according to the Census's Housing Vacancy Survey (HVS). While this was a modest quarterly increase, the broader picture continues to reflect the ongoing affordability challenges.
Compared to the peak home ownership rates of 69.2% in 2004, the latest numbers are still below the 25-year average rate of 66.3%.
It is also important to note that the fourth quarter's data may be affected by the 2025 government shutdown which ran from October 1st to November 12th, as the Census Bureau only collected data for the last two months of 2025.3
HOA Numbers Continue to Expand
The share of homes for sale that include Homeowners Association (HOA) fees continues to grow, together with the fees themselves. Homes with HOAs reached 43.6% in 2025, up from 34.3% in 2019. Monthly HOA fees reached an average of $135 in 2025, which is a $10 jump from 2024.
While residents with HOAs often enjoy amenities like pools, clubhouses, landscaping and security, monthly dues apply — and these may rise in the years ahead.
Others prefer the economy and freedom of a non-HOA lifestyle. In addition to fees, most restrict homeowners to certain types of decor. For example, some HOAs prohibit porch swings, bird baths, and may limit a property's trees.
If you're working with home sellers who are planning to move to another state, you may want to share this data.
The West and South regions are home to more HOAs, and are also the big gainers in HOA share since the pandemic, mainly as these regions are seeing more new construction.
Nevada is home to the most listings with HOA fees: 68.3%.
HOA fees are highest in Florida, with homeowners within the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metros paying HOA fees up to 26.9% of their mortgage payment.
Runner-up states with higher HOA fees: Hawaii, South Carolina, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.4
Some of 2026's Hottest Events
The Gathering by HousingWire. Head to Austin, Texas for this event. The Gathering is scheduled for April 27th to 30th.
The Tom Ferry Success Summit is scheduled for August 3rd to 5th. Make your reservations for the Anaheim Convention Center to attend talks on personal development, networking and business strategies. (You may want to schedule an extra day to visit Disneyland...it's just a block away!)
NAR NXT, the REALTOR Experience is headed to Houston, Texas this year (the venue has changed - originally it was to be held in New Orleans, Louisiana). Mark your calendars for November 6th to 8th.5
Sources: 1redfin.com, 2buffer.com, 3eyeonhousing.org, 4realtor.com, 5theclose.com
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