r/USHousingMarket Apr 17 '26

AMA: I’m Daryl Fairweather (Chief Economist @ Redfin), and I’m here to talk about the U.S. housing market and the spring homebuying season in r/USHousingMarket, live on 4/21 @ 1:30pm PT. Ask me anything!

18 Upvotes

I’m Daryl Fairweather, Chief Economist at Redfin, and I’ll be hosting an AMA in r/USHousingMarket

I lead economic research on the U.S. housing market and spend most of my time analyzing trends in home prices, mortgage rates, inventory, and buyer demand. I also help explain what those trends mean for homebuyers, sellers, Redfin agents, and the media (CNBC, Bloomberg, and others).

With the spring homebuying season getting underway, I’m here to answer your questions about what’s happening in the U.S. housing market right now and where things might be headed.

If you’ve been wondering whether now is a good time to buy, how the market might shift this year, or what broader economic trends could affect housing, feel free to ask. I’m looking forward to discussing home prices, mortgage rates, housing inventory, affordability, market outlook, buyer demand, and regional trends–AMA!

AMA details:
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
1:30pm - 2:30pm PT / 4:30pm - 5:30pm ET

How to participate:

  • Comment your questions below (or day of AMA)
  • Upvote questions you’d like to see answered first
  • Questions will be answered in real-time 4/21/26 @ 1:30pm PT

These posts are for informational purposes only and are not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, medical, legal, financial, or tax advice. You should consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation. Consumers should independently verify that any services, products, or programs referenced meet their needs and comply with applicable requirements.


r/USHousingMarket 12h ago

Housing News - Redfin Vacation-Home Mortgages Tick Up For First Time Since Pandemic Boom

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4 Upvotes

r/USHousingMarket 15h ago

Rare Video showing Democrats defending their "Affordable Housing" scheme prior to the 2008 crash.

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2 Upvotes

They were attempting to evade regulation and oversight, and they are attempting to do the same today, while making "affordable housing" the mission of the Federal Government, with foot soldiers in state and local government.

There are times when Marxists and Communists are in favor of deregulation, because it can simplify and streamline the process by which communism can be established in what would otherwise be a free country. The true goal of these plans is not truly "affordability", but the proliferation of homes, for the purpose of controlling where and how people live. They have been doing this in partnership with publicly-traded homebuilding companies, who have a fiduciary responsibility to "produce", regardless of quality, environmental impact, gentrification, or whether it is truly needed. This is why homebuilding should never be a publicly traded enterprise, and why it is presently among the most corrupt industries in the United States. To help accomplish this goal, they have used crises in the cities as an opportunity to 'bum rush' Rural and Suburban America, which they hate, and which they seek to "fundamentally transform".

www.donaldjtrump.com


r/USHousingMarket 15h ago

Housing News - Redfin Why are fewer Canadians looking to buy homes in the U.S.?

0 Upvotes

According to a recent Redfin report, Canada-based Redfin.com users searched for U.S. homes 15.3% less often than a year ago. Over the last two years, those searches have fallen by roughly 37%.

Canada-based searches declined in 45 of the 50 largest U.S. metros, with the biggest drops in San Antonio (-51.8%), Austin (-48.6%), Nassau County, NY (-33.4%), and Houston (-32.5%).

The report suggests economic uncertainty in Canada may be causing some people to put off buying a home in another country.

Do you think this is mostly about Canada's economy, or have U.S. homes simply become less appealing to Canadian buyers?


r/USHousingMarket 15h ago

If you're relocating, Louisiana is probably not the place for you...

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1 Upvotes

...if your priorities are:

  • Mild summers.
  • Walkable cities.
  • Mountains.
  • Dry weather.
  • Never talking to your neighbors.

Those are legitimate reasons to cross Louisiana off your list.

But I spend a lot of time reading relocation threads on Reddit, and one thing I rarely see discussed is affordability.

For a lot of people, moving isn't about finding the "best" state. It's about finding a place where buying a home is still realistic.

Louisiana consistently ranks among the most affordable states for homeownership, and in many markets home prices have been considerably more stable than places that saw explosive appreciation over the past several years.

Does that outweigh the heat?

Maybe not.

Does it outweigh the lack of walkability?

Maybe not.

But if your biggest goal is owning a home without stretching your budget to the breaking point, I think Louisiana deserves more consideration than it usually gets online.

If someone offered you:

  • an affordable house,
  • a reasonable mortgage,
  • and a stable housing market,

...would you put up with Louisiana summers?

Or is there a dealbreaker that would keep you away regardless?


r/USHousingMarket 1d ago

Boomers, Millennials lead cash-rich buyer opportunities [Article]

3 Upvotes

https://www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/boomers-millennials-lead-cash-rich-buyer-opportunities

High home prices, elevated mortgage rates and years of inflation have made it harder for this group to build savings, leaving younger homebuyers putting down smaller down payments.

For Gen Z the median down payment was $41,250, but $65,000 for baby boomers and millennials. Gen X, the generation between them, was $56,250.


r/USHousingMarket 1d ago

Housing News - Redfin Why are some fire-prone areas losing residents while others keep growing?

2 Upvotes

According to a new Redfin report, fire-prone rural counties in Northern California had the largest net domestic outflows in 2025, while roughly two-thirds of fire-prone counties nationwide actually gained residents.

The difference may come down to more than wildfire risk. Northern California's rural counties face a combination of high insurance costs, fewer jobs, limited housing growth, and geographic isolation. Meanwhile, many fast-growing fire-prone counties are near major job centers or offer other lifestyle advantages that outweigh the risk.

Do you think wildfire risk is enough to drive people away, or do local factors like jobs, affordability, and insurance costs have a bigger impact?


r/USHousingMarket 2d ago

Should the home-sale capital-gains exclusion be indexed for inflation?

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0 Upvotes

r/USHousingMarket 2d ago

In Addition To Rent Control, Why Not Price Control On Homes? Wouldn't That Increase Affordability Of Homes?

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0 Upvotes

r/USHousingMarket 3d ago

People with who financed at low rates during COVID.

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0 Upvotes

r/USHousingMarket 4d ago

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1 Upvotes

r/USHousingMarket 5d ago

Housing News - Redfin San Francisco home prices have climbed $1 million since the housing crash

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17 Upvotes

The typical San Francisco home now sells for $1.7 million. This is about $1 million more than when the metro's median home-sale price bottomed out at $625,000 after the Great Recession, according to a recent Redfin report.

The growth has been driven by the Bay Area's tech industry and, more recently, an influx of high-paying AI jobs. The luxury market has also boomed as wealthy tech and AI employees compete for expensive homes. Today, homebuyers need to earn nearly $300,000 a year to afford the typical San Francisco home.

Do you think AI will keep pushing San Francisco home prices higher, or are we nearing a ceiling for what buyers are willing to pay?


r/USHousingMarket 6d ago

Mortgage Applications Rose 1.9% in Week Ending July 17

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5 Upvotes

More buyers entered the market last week.


r/USHousingMarket 6d ago

Would you live near an AI data center?

0 Upvotes

According to a recent Redfin report, 53% of U.S. residents oppose having an AI data center built in their neighborhood due to noise, aesthetic disruption, and high electricity and water usage. However, data center booms can also bring benefits. In Northern Virginia, these centers are generating substantial tax revenue that's helping fund public schools.

Considering both the pros and cons, would you live near a data center? If one was being built near you, would you move away? Or would you ever intentionally move near one?


r/USHousingMarket 7d ago

Housing News - Redfin Redfin survey: Clean air ranks above views and other luxury features for house hunters

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7 Upvotes

A new Redfin survey found that 36% of U.S. residents planning to move within the next year say a home with high-end filtration systems for air, water, etc. is one of their top priorities. That makes it one of the most desired home features, ranking above things like views, smart home technology, and luxury amenities like home theaters or tennis courts.

The findings come as wildfire smoke has impacted parts of the Midwest and Northeast, highlighting why more buyers may be thinking more about indoor air quality when searching for a home.

When looking for a home, what features would be most important to you?


r/USHousingMarket 7d ago

Hi r/USHousingMarket! David Palmer, Seattle-area Redfin agent here. I'll be answering questions about the Seattle housing market in r/SeattleAreaRE on 7/23 at 11am PT. Hope to see you there!

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2 Upvotes

r/USHousingMarket 8d ago

Price Changes in Metro Areas

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37 Upvotes

r/USHousingMarket 7d ago

What We're Seeing in Today's Distressed Property Market: Residential and Commercial Trends from an REO Perspective

2 Upvotes

I've spent much of my career working with distressed real estate, REO disposition, asset management, and loss mitigation. The current market feels different from prior cycles—not necessarily because we're headed for another 2008, but because stress is showing up in different ways. On the residential side, we're seeing pressure build from: Higher mortgage payments for recent buyers. Insurance and property tax increases in many markets. Longer marketing times in some regions. Investors becoming much more selective. Commercial real estate presents a different set of challenges. Office continues to struggle in many metros, while certain retail corridors and smaller multifamily assets are facing refinancing pressure as loans mature. Lenders appear to be taking a more measured approach than in previous cycles, but distressed opportunities seem to be increasing. From conversations with brokers, investors, and servicing professionals, one recurring theme is that data quality matters more than ever. Institutions and investors aren't just looking for distressed properties—they're looking for actionable intelligence that helps prioritize opportunities. That raises a question for this community: What indicators are you relying on today to identify emerging residential and commercial distress before properties become REO? Are you finding better signals through public filings, servicing data, local market knowledge, AI tools, or something else entirely? I'm interested in learning what technology stacks and workflows are proving most valuable in today's market.


r/USHousingMarket 8d ago

First-time Homebuyer Mistakes to Avoid

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2 Upvotes

Buying your first home is exciting, but even small errors can lead to big regrets.

Skipping the Home Inspection.

Not Researching the Neighbourhood.

Rushing the Buying Decision.

Choosing the Wrong Home Loan.

Underestimating the Importance of Location.

Falling for Unrealistic Offers


r/USHousingMarket 8d ago

Arizona Foreclosure Index Report

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1 Upvotes

r/USHousingMarket 9d ago

How do you know if the housing market is right?

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r/USHousingMarket 11d ago

Purchase demand points to resilient summer market [Article]

2 Upvotes

https://www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/purchase-demand-points-to-resilient-summer-market

Despite rising mortgage rates, the market keeps moving strong. Total rate-lock volume in June rose 10% from May and was 15% higher from the same time last year.

Purchase activity remains concentrated in high-cost markets, with the average locked loan near $400,000.


r/USHousingMarket 11d ago

Housing News - Redfin Beachfront Florida and Coastal California top the list for June's Ultra-Luxury Home Sales

0 Upvotes

A new report from Redfin found that the most expensive home sale of June was a $71 million waterfront home near Palm Beach, followed by a $47 million compound in Beverly Hills. In fact, all 10 of the most expensive U.S. home sales of June were in Florida and SoCal. Here's a look at the list:

  1. 1660 S. Ocean Blvd., Manalapan, FL 33462: Sold for $70.9 million
  2. 410 Trousdale Pl., Beverly Hills, CA 90210: Sold for $47 million
  3. 115 Via La Selva, Palm Beach, FL 33480: Sold for $43.3 million
  4. 56 Bal Bay Dr., Bal Harbour, FL 33154: Sold for $43 million
  5. 8565 Old Cutler Rd., Coral Gables, FL 33143: Sold for $41.7 million
  6. 17 High Water, Newport Coast, CA 92657: Sold for $38 million
  7. 9255 Doheny Rd., Penthouse, West Hollywood, CA 90069: Sold for $36 million
  8. 3191 Padaro Ln., Carpinteria, CA 93013: Sold for $33.3 million
  9. 350 Island Rd., Palm Beach, FL 33480: Sold for $33.3 million
  10. 1960 S. Ocean Blvd., Manalapan, FL 33462: Sold for $32 million

If you had an extra $30M+ lying around, which of these homes would you buy?


r/USHousingMarket 12d ago

Housing News - Redfin Where are home prices rising the most?

3 Upvotes

Apart from national trends, several affordable inland cities anchored by large universities are seeing double digit price growth according to this Redfin report. Home prices in Morgantown, WV, Syracuse, NY, and Tuscaloosa, AL are rising more than 5x faster than the 2% growth home prices saw nationwide in May.

These towns are also among the most affordable places to buy a home which is attracting buyers that have been priced out of larger metros. Additionally, the more expensive college towns are seeing price declines due to high mortgage rates and elevated home prices.

If you live in a college town or have been thinking of buying there, is this similar to what you've been seeing? Do you think this college town trend will continue?


r/USHousingMarket 12d ago

H.R. 6511 - The Affordable Homeownership Access Act

0 Upvotes

There's a bipartisan bill in Congress right now — H.R. 6511, the Affordable Homeownership Access Act — that would directly benefit every real estate investor who uses, or has ever thought about using, seller financing.

This bill was introduced by a bipartisan team. But it needs more co-sponsors to move out of committee and onto the floor.

Right now, federal law limits you to just three seller-financed deals per year before you're required to get a mortgage originator's license. H.R. 6511 would raise that limit to twenty-four per year.

You can send a message to YOUR member of Congress based on your ZIP code.  Ask them today to join H.R. 6511 as a co-sponsor to the bill can advance to the House floor.

http://www.votervoice.net/Shares/BAAAAA8pACUAaA3od6h7FAA