Pounding pavements in Phoenix suburbs, where "For Sale" signs sprout like weeds, I sense the thaw. November 2025: after pandemic frenzy, housing's humbling itself. Prices flattening, inventory cresting— is the U.S. real estate recovery finally here, or just a teaser? PwC's Emerging Trends: yes, with cycles renewing amid senior booms and rate dips.
Housing finance and real estate recovery trends in 2025 spotlight balance. NAR: 3% median price rise, then 4% in 2026; sales up but 30% off peaks. Inventory? Pre-COVID highs, $700 billion unsold—Northeast/West Coast thawing. "First balanced since 2016," Realtor.com's Danielle Hale says.
Affordability eases: rates to 5.68% H2, per Fannie Mae. Regional rifts—Sun Belt cools 10% in spots like Stockton (25% below peaks, HSH). Investors revive affordable zones; Zillow's low-value index lags.
Finance flows: targeted first-timer loans, per HBS. "Transition, not turmoil," U.S. News echoes. By 2030, normalization—rents +2.8%.
A realtor confided: "Buyers breathe again." For dreamers, 2025's window: save, scout locals. The market's mending—step through before it swings shut.
