In the News

In its newly updated forecast, Forbes provides a detailed outlook on where the U.S. housing market stands as of spring 2025. The report outlines both persistent challenges—such as high prices, tight inventory, and affordability concerns—and potential turning points that could create new opportunities for homebuyers and real estate professionals in the coming months. Read the full Forbes article →

Key Takeaways from the Forbes Report:

Home Prices Continue to Rise, But the Pace Is Slowing

U.S. home prices posted a 4.1% annual gain in January, according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Index—up slightly from 3.9% in December. While this represents ongoing growth, experts say the pace is decelerating, particularly in areas with stronger construction activity like the South and West.

Importantly, many Midwestern markets remain relatively affordable due to their modest pandemic-era appreciation. Regional variations are creating localized affordability pockets, offering opportunity for strategic buyers and real estate professionals targeting those areas.

Affordability Is Still a Barrier for Many Buyers

Although mortgage rates have cooled slightly—averaging 6.76% in late February—the typical monthly payment for a new homeowner sits at $1,854, up from $1,841 just a year earlier. Over a 30-year loan, that modest $13 monthly difference equates to nearly $7,200 more in payments.

According to Attom’s Q1 2025 data, homes are considered unaffordable in 97% of U.S. counties, with the average homeowner now spending 32% of their income on housing—well above the 28% benchmark lenders prefer. In short, affordability remains a serious hurdle, especially for first-time buyers and lower-income households.

Existing and New Home Sales Show Early Signs of Life

There are encouraging signs of market movement. Existing-home sales jumped 4.2% in February as inventory rose 5.1% month-over-month and 17% year-over-year. However, activity still hovers near 30-year lows, according to NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun.

New home sales also ticked up in February, rising 1.8% month-over-month and 5.1% from a year earlier. But builders are cautious. Tariffs and rising construction costs threaten to slow momentum unless resale inventory continues growing—forcing builders to compete on pricing and incentives.

Pending home sales, a forward-looking indicator, rose 2% in February, hinting at a thaw—but annual pending sales remain down 3.6%, reflecting continued buyer hesitation.

What Would It Take for a True Recovery?

According to industry experts quoted in the article, two key shifts must happen for a housing recovery to take hold:

1. A Significant Inventory Increase: More listings—either from new construction or from homeowners willing to sell—would ease price pressure and give buyers more negotiating power.
2. Lower Mortgage Rates: Experts suggest a return to the 4–5% range would dramatically loosen the market. However, this is unlikely in the near term, especially given persistent inflation and the weight of national debt, which could keep rates elevated.

As Keith Gumbinger of HSH.com warns, if rates fall too quickly, a surge in demand could negate inventory gains and drive prices back up—a delicate balance the market will need to manage.

External Events Are Already Influencing Local Markets

Some markets are shifting faster due to external pressures. For example, wildfires in the Los Angeles metro have pushed up both rents and home prices. In Washington, D.C., job cuts and return-to-office mandates have increased listings, altering supply dynamics.

From the Loan Officer’s Perspective: Discipline Wins, Regardless of Market Conditions

It’s clear from this detailed Forbes report that the housing market remains complex. Rates are high. Prices are rising. Inventory is tight. And affordability remains a national concern.

But here’s the good news: your business doesn’t depend on perfect conditions. It depends on your consistency.

Whether the market heats up or cools down, your most important job is to stay connected to your referral partners, leads, and clients. Stick to the Mortgage Marketing Animals’ Daily Success Plan.

This is what separates top performers from those waiting for the “right” market. Because top producers know:

It’s not about the market. It’s about your actions. Let others obsess over headlines. You focus on your pipeline—and you’ll win no matter what the market does.

Mortgage Rates Experience Fluctuations Amid Tariff Uncertainty

Mortgage rates have seen notable fluctuations recently, influenced by economic uncertainties stemming from new tariffs. The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage increased from 6.60% to 6.82% on Monday, marking the most significant single-day rise this year. These changes reflect market reactions to ongoing trade tensions and their potential impact on the economy.

Tariffs Expected to Increase New Home Construction Costs

Recent tariffs imposed by the U.S. government are projected to raise the cost of building new homes by an average of $9,200. This increase is attributed to higher prices for imported construction materials, including lumber and gypsum. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) estimates that these tariffs will significantly impact housing affordability and supply, particularly in states with a high volume of new constructions.

Counterpoint: Exemptions and Market Adjustments May Mitigate Cost Increases

However, some developments may help offset these cost increases. The U.S. government has confirmed exemptions from new tariffs on Canadian and Mexican construction materials, notably softwood lumber, which is a critical component in homebuilding. Canada supplies about 85% of U.S. softwood lumber imports, and this exemption is seen as a significant benefit by the NAHB. Additionally, exemptions for Mexican imports cover essential materials like gypsum, concrete, and appliances. These exemptions have led to a positive response in the market, with leading homebuilders experiencing stock gains between 3-5%

Furthermore, a recent decline in mortgage rates offers a potential counterbalance to the increased construction costs. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has fallen to its lowest point since October 2024, driven by investor shifts to safe-haven Treasury bonds amid economic uncertainty. This decrease in borrowing costs could enhance home affordability, potentially offsetting some of the price increases resulting from higher construction expenses.

Public Sentiment and Reactions

The public reaction to these developments is mixed. While there is concern over the potential rise in home prices due to increased construction costs, the exemptions on certain materials and the drop in mortgage rates provide some optimism. Prospective homebuyers and industry professionals are closely monitoring these factors to assess their combined impact on housing affordability and market dynamics.

Real Estate-Related Stock Performance

As of April 8, 2025, publicly traded real estate and mortgage companies have shown varied performance:​

• Lennar Corporation (LEN): Trading at $105.50, down 1.2% from the previous close.​
• D.R. Horton (DHI): Trading at $92.30, down 0.9%.​
• Zillow Group (ZG): Trading at $48.75, up 0.5%.​

These movements reflect investor responses to current housing market conditions and economic policies.​

Positive Insights for Loan Officers

Despite the challenges posed by increased construction costs due to tariffs, loan officers can identify opportunities to assist clients:​

• Leverage Lower Mortgage Rates: The recent decline in mortgage rates enhances affordability for potential homebuyers. Loan officers can guide clients to take advantage of these favorable borrowing conditions.​
• Highlight Exempted Materials: Inform clients about the exemptions on certain construction materials, which may help moderate overall building costs and keep some new homes within reach.
• Emphasize Long-Term Investment Value: Despite short-term cost fluctuations, real estate remains a valuable long-term investment. Loan officers can reassure clients about the enduring benefits of homeownership.​

By focusing on these areas, loan officers can navigate the current market landscape effectively and provide valuable services to their clients.

If you’re not tapping into the First Time Home Buyer market, you’re leaving a huge opportunity on the table. They make up about 35% of all mortgage loans every year—that’s a ton of business you could be grabbing.

Today on The Complete Loan Officer hosted by Carl White at Mortgage Marketing Animals, Carl is going to break down exactly how to find and market to First Time Home Buyers. And here’s the kicker:

Carl’s also giving away his First Time Home Buyers Guide—a powerful resource you can brand to yourself or co-brand with your realtor partners. It’s a killer way to attract new clients and strengthen your referral relationships.

When: Today at 2pm ET (for MMA members)
Where: MortgageMarketingAnimals.com > Classes

Also, if you missed yesterday’s State of the Mortgage Industry webinar, you’ll want to catch the replay ASAP. Over 2,000 LOs registered and it maxed out the Zoom meeting—the information couldn’t be more timely.

 Watch the replay here: Watch it here

And don’t forget—tomorrow on the Loan Officer Breakfast Club, we’ve got Chris Johnstone from LoanOfficerCRM.ai showing us how to build systems and processes within your CRM to skyrocket your efficiency.

Jump on our free Zoom call tomorrow from 8:30am to 9:00am ET at LoanOfficerBreakfastClub.com.

Tomorrow morning’s LOBC Live Zoom call is one you definitely don’t want to miss. We’re featuring Bill “Rudy” Deavers—one of the most humble, hardworking, and highly successful loan officers in the business.

He’s got the plan down pat and consistently does high volume every single month. And tomorrow, he’s going to share exactly how he does it. No fluff. Just real strategies you can put to work right away.

We’re live from 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM ET at LoanOfficerBreakfastClub.com. And remember—this call is always free for all loan officers.

For our MMA members: Tomorrow’s Complete Loan Officer Class with Carl White and Meg is happening at 2:00 PM ET. They’re going to reveal a killer First-Time Home Buyer presentation that’s been producing amazing results. To join, just go to the website and click on “Classes.”

And don’t forget—the Call Stars Blitz is coming up on April 16. This event is designed to push you out of your comfort zone and drive real, measurable results. If you’re ready to put the plan into action and see a massive spike in your numbers, you’ve got to be there. Get all the details and sign up at JoinMMACallStars.com.

Make sure you’re plugged in tomorrow—between Rudy Deavers’ strategies and Carl & Meg’s First-Time Home Buyer presentation, this is going to be a big one.

The last Call Stars Blitz was so wildly successful that we were practically begged to do another one. And we listened.

So, mark your calendar for April 16, 2025. It’s happening.

Here’s why you can’t afford to miss this:

On Blitz day, we’re going to equip you with everything you need to crush your calls.

First, we make sure you know exactly what list you should be calling. Even if you think you don’t have one, trust me—you do. We’ll show you how to put it together.

Then, we hand you a proven, intentionally crafted script designed to do one thing… get you results. And here’s the kicker—it’s not just about having a script. It’s about learning a carefully scripted way to ask for the business. Because if you don’t ask, you don’t get.

And the goal? 50 conversations. Not 50 calls. 50 conversations using an intentional script with a clear call to action.

But don’t just take my word for it. Here’s some results from the last Call Stars Blitz: 

• Jason W.: 153 calls, 54 conversations, 5 referrals, and 1 appointment.
• Paulina B.: Had 50 conversations and walked away with 12 referrals. 
• Dennis G.: 9 realtor appointments booked.
• Hil S.: 56 dials, 30 talk-to’s, and 12 referrals.

Here’s the bottom line…

The Call Stars Blitz is your chance to finally experience what’s possible when you follow a proven plan with a community of LOs supporting each other along the way.

Want in? Want results? Want to actually make some money?

Visit JoinMMACallStars.com to secure your spot.

April 16th. Be there. Ready to work. Ready to win.

Can you believe Q1 is already behind us?

If you’re looking back thinking, “Dang, I could’ve done better…”, you’re not alone. And you don’t have to keep spinning your wheels.

Here’s what I see all the time: most loan officers know they need better relationships with real estate agents—the ones who actually work and send qualified buyers. But finding the right agents (and knowing what to say to them) can feel like a mystery.

That’s where we come in.

At Mortgage Marketing Animals, we’ve got a simple, proven system to help you connect with the right agents and turn those conversations into closed deals. Not guesswork—just a step-by-step plan that works.

If you’re ready to stop chasing shiny objects and start building a real pipeline, go here: DailySuccessPlan.com

Also—don’t miss this Wednesday’s LOBC call.

 We’ve got Jimn Kyles (yep, Steve’s twin brother) joining us for a live session called:
“When Conflict Happens, Handle It Like a Leader.”

It’s all about leading through tough conversations—in business, with your team, even at home. Jimn’s giving you a practical framework you can use right away.

Live on Wednesday at 8:30 AM ET |   LoanOfficerBreakfastClub.com 

Let’s make Q2 count.

Imagine waking up on the first of the month already knowing that your pipeline is full… that you’re on track to close at least 8 loans—again.
No guesswork. No stress. Just a simple, effective plan and process that works.

What would it feel like to finally have that kind of clarity and consistency?
How would it change your life if you could confidently count on that level of production, every single month?

This coming Monday on the Loan Officer Breakfast Club Live Zoom Call, we’re doing something special. Something that could shift the entire trajectory of your business.

Steve Kyles, one of the nation’s most respected mortgage coaches and a driving force behind Mortgage Marketing Animals, is going to lay it all out for you.
He’s pulling back the curtain and showing—step by step—how loan officers just like you are consistently closing at least 8 loans a month… and how you can too.

Steve isn’t just a coach—he’s a master at simplifying success.
He’s helped thousands of LOs break free from the chaos of inconsistent closings and get on a clear, repeatable path to high-level production.
His strategies are not theory… they’re battle-tested in the trenches with real results.

And the best part?
This call is 100% free for all loan officers nationwide. No strings. No gimmicks. Just raw, practical insight you can start using the moment the call ends.

So let me ask you…

What would change in your life if at least 8 closings a month became your new normal?
Would you finally take that vacation you’ve been putting off?
Would you reinvest in your business with confidence?
Would you spend more time with your family without worrying about where your next deal is coming from?

You’re just one Zoom call away from the answers.

Here’s how to join us:
Monday Morning
8:30 AM to 9:00 AM ET
LoanOfficerBreakfastClub.com

Can’t make it live? Want the replay or more info? No problem—go here: WantMoreLoans.com

>>First up: This morning on LOBC, we had Marty Guy Fink on—and man, what a story.
One year ago, her pipeline was empty. Like, zero loans. Now? She’s the #1 producer at her company. If you’re a member, you can catch the replay in the Classes section. 

>>Second: Today, Carl’s teaching the Complete Loan Officer class.
He’s breaking down the different borrower types—who they are, which ones actually make you the most money, and how to find and convert them. Catch the class HERE 

>>And tomorrow morning..
Chris Johnstone is jumping on the LOBC Zoom call to show how to use the new image tools inside ChatGPT to boost your mortgage marketing. Super practical stuff you can walk away knowing how to use.

See ya at 8:30 AM >> LoanOfficerBreakfastClub.com

Let’s keep this momentum rolling.